Hey Maw, thanks for blogging. Bet it was hard to go back to work this week. Well, I go back on Tuesday, but I did the new job I applied for back in the Fall with the City of Fort Worth as one of the two Health Educator's for the city. I'm excited about this opportunity. I hope everyone has a Happy Happy New Year. Love, Blair

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year's Eve. Sorry I have not Blogged, Blair. I know you try so hard and devote so much time to all of the family connection. We love you and appreciate you for all your effort. It was so hard to go back to work this past week and Friday I had the office by myself. I was really busy, being the last business day of the year for us. Yesterday I took down the Christmas tree and etc. I always dread that. Not near as much fun as putting it up. Ha.I just hope and pray that this new year, 2007, will be a good one for everyone in the family. Even tho it was hard to see sometimes, we were truly blessed in 2006. We are all still here, in reasonably good health so that is a blessing.We lost some, Alta, and gained some, Brock, so life goes on. I am so grateful for all my family and love each of you very very much.
Made sausage balls this morning (didn't get made during Christmas) and will cook the Ole Blackeyed Peas tomorrow. We need all the luck we can get. Caden, thank you for calling me about the peanut patties being yummy in the tummy. You are so sweet.I love my little birthstone cross you gave me. We will proably see the New Year in with New York tonight at 10:00, Ha. Be safe and happy. Love, Maw

Happy New Year Everyone. Hope everybody is doing great. Would like to hear from all you guys. Mike and I would love to host a long weekend get together for all of us here. Let us know what dates would be good for you guys. Come on now, Maw, J.W., Gary, Susan, Jill, Brandon, Stormy, James, Shavone, Brock, Gary, Kittie, Maggie, Craig, Boston, Megan, Peggy, Ryan. Blog, let us know what you guys think about this and what dates would hit the most. It was good to talk to Kittie the other morning. Caden wanted to talk to her, Boston and Pappy. He was playing with the book they gave him and brought back memories for him. He sure did enjoy you guys at Christmas. Let us know and would love to have any of you any time. Love Eletia

Family, do you like this connection??? Does anybody have problems with connections on here?? I don't know a whole lot but what I do know is that this family has brought me so much joy, hope and understanding of things. If you don't all pride yourself on that, you should?? Artie would always say, don't do it if you can't do it right? I really embrace my time with all of you. We all really should try to get together more often. So, really tired of nobody blogging. I will come down there and kick your ass. Yeah I know I've never taken that role, but you know what, it's time. I ain't scared. Get in line!! I love you all. The Original BEAR BEAR

Anybody got any New Year's plans?? Not much here. Wow, we had some really rough weather here today. Tornadoes, lots and lots of rain. It was kind of scary for a little bit. Luckily, none of us suffered any damage. Love, Blair

Hey Everybody, make sure you click on the top of the front page to see my intro to you.
Love, Blair

Wow, I had a blast seeing everybody. I hope the website gives you a little taste of the fun we had. Maw, you words are true. I would love for us all to try and to a get together not around holiday time, all of us! Kittie you sang awesome. I really enjoyed that. I also enjoyed seeing everybody. I hope you enjoy the website. Send me your pics!!!! I really enjoyed watching Boston, Caden, Stormy and Brock. Precious. Love everbody very much.
Blair

Hi to one and all
We had a very wonderful Christmas Eve lunch with all that could come. It was short because of places others needed to be but, Hey, we will take what time we can get. It is wonderful to see Boston, Caden and Stormy get to play together even for a short time. Brought back old memories when the "cousins" use to be here at Christmas time and play together. We are just all starting over again, right, new group. We are all blessed and thankful for the group we are. I know we have all been influenced by our older generation and loved ones that are no longer with us and they will always be in our hearts but we sure do miss them one and all at holiday time. Aren't memories wonderful? Your idea of a get-together sounds like a good idea. Don't know if we can ever pull it off, like you said, it will take a lot of effort from everyone, but who knows.
We certainly enjoyed having Blair and Jay stay with us and Blair got to see First Baptist members at the Candlelight and Carol service to hear Kittie sing O Holy Night. She did a beautiful job and I was so proud of her. I'm sure her Daddy heard her in heaven. I am just so proud of all my children. They all play their own unique roles in life and in our family. Just like God's family, it takes us all to come together to make ONE, our family unit. Each has their own gifts and talents but above all we have our family love and respect for each other. There will always be someone that needs a little extra help, encouragement and understanding from time to time, none of us walk in each other's shoes . Blair and Jay may come back by this morning on their way home. Blair made lots of pictures for Ft Worth bunch to see. Jared and Betsy we sure did miss seeing you and hope you had a great Christmas. You are a very sweet couple. Hope Blair gets back with your "goodie" bag. Mike and Eletia, it was good to talk to you on Christmas morning and like I told you, thanks so much for sharing your children with us. Wish I could give you one and all a million dollars but I do send you all my love and wish you a wonderful NEW YEAR of good health, wealth and much love. Maw

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE. Hope all has a very good day. Blair & Jay traveling your way this morning. April, Zac & Caden back home this afternoon. Everyone have a safe trip. Gary & Susan have a good time with your parents and their anniversary party tonight. Susan you are so lucky to have them both still. Jill, Brandon and Stormy, James, Shavone and Brock, hope Santa is good to you all. We will miss being there with you guys. Maw & J W I know the Christmas dinner will be absolutely wonderful and all will have a great time. We do miss you a lot. Ryan hope your holiday is bright. Kittie, Gary, Maggie, Craig, Boston and Megan, hope your holiday season is wonderful also. Peggy you have a Merry Christmas too. We would love for any and all to come our way. Mike and I have been talking about hosting a get together here, real soon. Let me know what weekends would be good for everyone. We can start something similar to like what I and my sisters do. It is so much fun. Yes, you have to work at it, but it is wonderful for the family soul. PLEASE LET ME KNOW. We all bring our blow up beds and fixings and even our big meal is split. Mike and I are hosting the 2nd annual Valentines Sweetheart party this year. Hope I havent forgotten anyone. Just want you all to know we love you and MERRY CHIRSTMAS. Eletia & Mike

Hey James. We're excited too. Me and Jay will be leaving Arlington around 7:00 Sunday morning to be there in time for lunch. See ya real soon. Blair

We are really excited that ya'll will be in crosbyton. We are planning to go to Maw's for christmas eve lunch to see everyone.
Can't wait to see you. Merry Christmas
Be careful on your drive down here.
love ya,
James, Shavonne and Brock

Well just a few more days till I get to see everybody.
Gary Dale, you're in my prayers as you go through your angiogram testing. I just know it will turn out okay. Kittie, Gary Dale, Maggie, Boston and Megan, can't wait to get to see you while I'm down there.

Susan and Gary can't wait to see ya'll, as well as Jill, Brandon & Stormy Britches.. Also, can't wait to see Jaime, Shavonne and the little Brockster too.

Maw, Papa J and Ryan can't wait to see ya'll and enjoy just soaking it all in to be in C-Town on Christmas.

Aunt Peg, can't wait to see you too. Maybe we can even put on a little jig while I'm down, heh??
Love all,
Blair

Jared, love your honesty in your response. I know your big heart though and you would probably give anonymous donations to people that really needed it. You're a very loving person.

Okay, looking forward again to going to C-Town. Maw has been keeping me updated on the weather. It might snow this weekend. Wow, a White Christmas?? I am trying to convince my mom and dad to come up too. It would be nice to have most of us there. For the ones of you that I get to see, I can't wait to give you a big hug and tell you Merry Christmas. Well, love you all. Blair

Well, if I had a million dollars I would buy season tickets to the Cincinnati Bengals games. Of course more problems come with more money. I would probably give most of it to charity and stock the rest away. Honestly, I cant say that I would give some to family because if you give to one family member and not another than one person loves ya and another hates ya. Money has amazing powers. It can make someone love you, hate you, respect you, disrespect you, envy you, take advantage of you. It has many negatives and positives. More than likely if I did have a million dollars and money shows up on your front door step with no name attached, just consider it a nice gift and move on. Too deep, I know!
Betsy and I are really wanting to come down for Christmas, but have no one to take care of our dogs so we need to work out some details on that and let ya know something later. Maw, my wagon seat looks great in my media room! Thank you very much as that meant soooo much to me. Take care Gowens'. Love Jared

Good morning everyone. The question whatI would do with a million dollars, well the number one thing would be to help out my kids, granty, and the grandkids. I would like to also help the extended family who might really need the help. The best thing about money is sharing! We are getting really excited about Christmas. Stormy and Brock make everyday so very special. God blessed us with two very beautiful grandchildren. We are also very blessed to have our health and everyone seems pretty healthy. Don and Linda Henry and my sister Judy all will be coming in on Friday. Here's wishing all the wonderful family a very special Merry Christmas from the Gowens bunch in CTown. Love to all, Susan

Blair's question, I forgot also. There is not anything that I "need" or "want" for myself. The thing Christ told us to do was to love one another and above all, take care of the children so if I had a million dollars I would begin proably with my own "children" and make their life a little easier and find some way to make it benefit other needy, sick or unloved children have a much better life. Maw

Merry Christmas

Hey family, just checking the blog before I get in gear this morning. Eletia, your post was the sweetest thing I have read in a long time! Made me very emotional and wanting to give you all a big hug. I know you and all the rest of your family have done a wonderful thing giving Caden so much love. He will always hold you so dear in his heart. It is such a joy for you to be able to have Caden there with you. I can well remember how sweet all the g-kids were at his age and so easy to love. It was so hard to see all of you move off to Ft Worth and we miss seeing you but I can understand that it seemed to be time for a major change in your life. Except for Mike working such long hours and 7 days a week, your whole family seems to be happier since your "new start". I am so proud of you all and love you all so very very much. Our love ones, here and gone are always in our hearts and minds with memories of Christmas's past. Cherish those memories because life is so short. I can hear Artie (Mother) telling me now, You just wait til you're my age, you'll find out and as usual, she was always right. Hope you can come up soon. J W is just not up to any travel that far yet but wish we could come down there some time. Time to get busy. Hoping you all have a truly wonderful family time tonight!
Merry Christmas
Love, Maw

Oh, for Blairs question, if I had a million dollars what would I do? I hope I would be very generous with it. I would set up my families future for sure. Then I would help children and most probably the Childrens Cancer Hospital. Eletia

Good Morning all!!! Today the Ft Worth crew is having their Christmas. I will work till about 5 this afternoon at the candle shop, and then we will have enchiladas, tamales, chalupas, rice, beans, chips and salsa. Candies and pecan pie. Unfortunately it is all purchased from a small mexican restaurant here in Hurst. I am sure it will be great. Mike is on call most of the day, but tonight he will not be, so maybe, just maybe, we will not be interupted and can all sit down and eat together and have our tree. This year was hard to find a time for us all to be together and one time. But we did find a few hours today. Blair and I both have two weeks vacation from our permanent jobs. I will work at the candle shop on the weekends and tomorrow. I will be keeping Mr "C" Wednesday and all of the next week that he is here. We should have lots of fun with all his new toys. I have already seen Cars atleast ten times and I know all the names of them and even Thomas the Trains. If anyone needs to know what a little 3 year old boy wants, just let me know. We can spend several hours in Toy R Us. I know Maw is amazed at the patience I have now grown and matured with. I know God has given me this chance to be with Caden so I can actually enjoy his every thought and ummm I just love being told "Nana, I love you too much," and all his little kisses. We will miss Blair, Jay, Adam, Ethan, Baily, April, Zac and Caden while they are in Crosbyton and Lubbock, but we can share. Hopefully, Mike and I can get out that way real soon. Hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas. We love you all, and miss you, even though we work hard, this was probably the best move for our family ever. Love and kisses to all. Eletia

If I had a million dollars I would be sure to help out my family. Love Blair

Question: If you had a million dollars what would you do with it??

Hey Aunt Peg, good to hear from ya. I'll have to ask her about the song. That sounds right though. Hey, if you could help folks get me some pics up your way, that would be awesome so we can share on the web. Well can't wait see ya'll next week. Love, Blair

Hi All - Blair, all I can say is what a great job! I checked out all the new pictures on both websites and they are wonderful. You are doing a really cool thing, you know. When I saw the pic of your mom and her sisters I could nearly hear them singing. What I remember most about that is someone "skinning" her voice and I think it was your mom and I think it was on Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey...ask her, she'll know what I'm talking about. :) Hope all the Ft. Worth bunch is fine and we'll see some of ya soon. Love Aunt Peg

Hi Everybody. Maw thanks for the encouraging words on the website. Intention is to get everyone involved sending me stuff and having a fun time.. Can't wait to see everybody. Jay and me will be there 24-26th. April and Zac will be there 21-24. Not for sure if Jared and Betsy are going to get to come now. Might check with them. Jared thanks for coming to my Young Professionals Association meeting tonight. Hey Shavonne, really impressed with Brockster's website. It is now connected to the Griffinssister connect. So all you have to do is go to the site connect and your there. I just love technology. Well love ya all. Still haven't gotten pictures from everybody. Come on don't be shy. Blair

Brock

Shavonne has been putting together a neat little website for brock. So that it is easier for everyone to get updated and see pictures. The website is: http://www.totsites.com/tot/thebrockster
it will ask for a password which is : brockallen

Can't wait to see everyone at Christmas.
we love ya'll,
James, Shavonne and Brock

Hey family, I love the new pictures Blair has posted. Donna Beth's long curls look like wire springs, you can see thru them. Ha We were so cute, right? Keep up the good work Blair, we are proud of you. I was checking this all out while I make a huge pan of Artie's "trash" tonight. Yes, I'll be sure you all get some of it. Christmas is getting closer and we have no time left. Maw

HI Susan, glad you and Gary got to spend some time with little Brock. That is awesome that Stormy is getting into the Christmas spirit. I know Caden is doing the same thing. I love their ages right now. Looking forward to seeing everybody too. Kittie can't wait to see your group too. Okay, the ones of you that are blogging encourage others to blog. Maw can't wait to see ya'll. Peggy can't wait to see you. Any extended family or friends that checks out the website or reads the blogs, share the love and write us.

Happy Birthday to Mike, (my dad), today, December 12th. He is 53 years old today. Happy Birthday Dad! Love, Blair

Hi everyone! We had a wonderful time visiting Brock on Sunday and Monday. Gary and I took the day off Monday so we could get some sweet sugar. Wow Brock is really growing. Can't wait for all of you to see him. Stormy is really getting excited this year about Santa Claus. Only a few shopping days left and time and money begin to run short. All is well at the Gowens house and can't wait to see all of you for Christmas. Love to all, Susan

Hey James, Shavonne and little Brockster. Yeah, glad you found the blog. Glad you are liking the website. I am so proud of ya'll. Hope to see ya' at Christmas.

Wow, the Cowboys totally lost it against the Saints. Didn't go as planned at all. Oh well. They still will make the playoffs and maybe can recover.

Cho Po Lo and a half bone thou. Okay, the rest of ya' need to start blogging. Keep us up to date. Love ya' B

Hello

Hello everyone, sorry it took me so long but I didn't even know what a blog was, mom had to show me. Any who I just wanted to say that I think the websited is great blair-roskie you are doing a great job. Me and shavonne(and brock) really miss coming down there and seeing all the gowens every two weeks it was great to stay and see everyone we really miss all of you. Shavonne and Brock are doing really good that boy loves to get his Nu-Nu(breast feed for those who don't understand my terminology) I hope to see ya'll all at christmas we will be running back and forth between families to Ralls, Lubbock and Crosbyton but we will find a time when we can see all of you and ya'll can see the Brockster. Well I think I have blogged enough for one night, it sure did make me tired I may have to take a breather after talking or typing this much. We love all of you and can't wait to see you at christmas.
Love you,
James, Shavonne and Brock

P.S. Brock says "Cho Po Lo and a half bone Thou"

Hey, can't wait to come to Crosbyton at Christmas. It was a little cool today, but sunny skies. It is supposed to warm back up here this week. I'm liking that. Hate the cold. Well, wish I could answer your question on the doggy's but little before my time. tehee. Love, Blair

Hey, I forgot to mention the name of the dog in the picture with Kittie and Gary Lee in front of Arties house. His name was "Troubles". Guess we can remember the dogs name and not the kids,eh? If it was Mama Gowens dog it would have been Ole Tippy, right?
Love, Maw

Hey Bear Bear and all,
I can't believe you were up so early and on the computer already. I am impressed. Cold and wintery looking day here today. Got lots of things to do before Christmas. Only have this week-end and next week-end to get ready. Have a great weekend.Love maw

Well, I hope the Cowboys can pull it through against the Saints. Romo is awesome. New Aikman in my opinion. Do I hear a superbowl??
Also, other question: Dixie Chicks or Bush... Dixie Chicks. No likie Bushie. hehee Blair

Hey all start checking out grey matter. New surprises, stories, and connects to the blog for your convenience. Michael Blair P.S. Have you blogged lately??? If you haven't then shame on ya'. LOL.

Hi Everyone, well hope everyone has a great weekend. Hope everyone is enjoying the site.
Love, Blair

Maw, that was too cute. I saw that on your first blog. It made me smile, because it reminded me of how Artie used to say to me "Mike", I mean Blair. One time on one of my birthday cards she even put that. So, I thought it was cute.

Maggie, email me some current pics of Boston and family. Shavonne and James Lee, I am loving the pics of Brock. He is a handsome little thing. He evens has the Gowens' ear from the pictures I've seen. I need to get some more pics from April with Caden. Jill, thanks for the recent pictures of Stormy. Cute cute!!

Zachary, Happy Birthday on the 6th!!! Betsy, Happy Birthday on the 10th!!! Hope you and Jared have fun in the big C-town this weekend. Dad, Happy Birthday on the 12th!!! Jay, Happy Birthday on the 17th!!! Anybody else I missed...
Love you all,
Blair

CORRECTION

MAW HAS LOST IT. I WAS TRYING TO NAME THE PEOPLE IN THE SNOW PICTURES. MUST HAVE BEEN "GARY" OR "MIKE" AND KITTIE, NOT JARED. WRONG GENERATION. OH WELL. I LOVE YOU ALL THE SAME SO WHAT THE HEY?
MAW

Christmas plans

Looks like we are all enjoying your new web site for C town! I will try to figure out how to blog??
The snow pictures in front of Artie's house must be Jared and Kittie in one and Mike and Peggy in the other.Not sure about it (Mike)

Our plans are to have Christmas starting around noon on Dec 24 and go from there. Church service is at 5:00 for the ones wanting to attend that. I am excited that ya'll (Blair & Jay) and Jared & Betsy are coming! Maw

Well, you all got a lot more snow in West Texas then we did in East Texas. We got the icy stuff. Not good with major traffic. Hmm, now some snow/ice stories.

The time I was in high school and it was snowy and icy. Couple of other high school guys ran their car into our mailbox. My dad (Mike) went tearing out the door to see what was wrong and he did the slip off the porch act a lot like in the movie Home Alone where the crooks take a major slip on the ice.

Snow ball fights. Loved them if I was doing the hitting, but want to cry if you get hit from the cold blast on your face.

Watching our dogs in the past jump in the snow. Our chihuahuas would bounce up and down like a kangaroo.

Yeah, the whole its real quite after it snows. That's true.

Don't tap on your breaks in the ice and let off the gas.

Some of my stories. Anyone else??

Things I had forgotten about West Texas Winters

Just how cold a "blue norther" really is.
Mother waking me early to see the snow.
How quiet it is after a snow.
Truett Mayes pulling a buch of us kids all over town in a car hood turned upside down and tied to the back of his pickup.
Making tunnels through snowdrifts.
Don't pull into the curb downtown (Kittie had to remind me.)
Put the car in neutral if you start to slide (Kittie had to remind me.)
Don't open both car doors at the same time when the wind is blowing 50 miles an hour.
Not being able to get to the alley for the snow YUK!! Trash Pileup!
How dependent EVERYTHING is on the weather.
How sore my behind is aftery trying to walk carefully on the snow and ice.
Not being able to find the newspaper.
The feel of the snow when you first step into it...all powdery and soft.

HOW MUCH I LOVE THE SNOW!!

Other snow stories anyone??

Maw, I don't have Ryan email so be sure to tell him about website too. Love B

Hi Everybody. Hope things are well. I'm excited about anybody I get to see when we come down for Christmas the 24th and 25th. Hey Susan, I don't know if I have Jill and Brandon's email, can you tell them about the webpage. Also, Kittie, I don't have Maggie and Megan's email, can you tell them about the webpage. I need more pics. Love you all!! Bear Bear

Hey Susan, good to hear from you. I bet little Brock is growing. He is so cute in the pictures. I love the picture of him smiling. Sad I'll miss Jill and her crew while I'm down there over Christmas. I am looking forward to seeing all of ya'll in a few short weeks. Let me know if you want me to put together a little link for the DJ business kind of like I did for Malo. It would be awesome to see Gary Lee in action djing for the page. Love all bunches! Blair

Hey Blair, the website is great. We are all excited about the new baby boy. James and Shavonne are doing great and Brock must be eating steak and potatoes he now weighs 8 pounds 6 oz. Gary and I are pretty busy with parties and weddings for December. Our bank party is tonight. The fireman party is the 9th and we will be playing the dance. We have a wedding the 16th and the 30th. We will be ready for a break in January. Our Christmas plans are still in the air. Brandon, Jill, & Stormy will be in Houston so we will play it by ear. We will have a small party on Christmas eve for my parents 65th wedding anniversary. Christmas day we will be at our house. Since I'm at work I guess I should be working instead of blogging. Love, Susan

Ok, so Blair told me that I don't blog enough! Humph, go figger! lol! I don't even like answering those spam mails that tell me I have won a million bucks! hahahaha! I am glad that we all can keep in touch with each other through this site. Blair is working hard to keep us all in touch! Love you all! Thanks for your love! Jay

Hey Jared and Aunt Peg thanks for the encouragement. Hey anything to help out with keeping everyone connected is what I'm about. Aunt Peg let me know if you have any events or any other pics you want me to put up for you. Gary Lee, let me know if you want me to do anything for your DJ thing. Kittie, let me know if you have anything from Mariposa to put on to. Also, Maggie and Kittie, I don't have any recent pics of Boston, can I have one for the website. Jill & Brandon, thanks for the pics of Ms. Stormy. She is so precious and also congrats again to James and Shavonne. Mr. Brock is quite the handsome little Gowens I might add. Ft. Worth crew doing pretty good. Ready for the holidays here. Peggy your blog was so cute. I'm proud of you though. You are awesome too!!! The cold weather is just about to hit here too. We are about to get thunderstorms and then here comes the ice and snow. BRRR.
Blair

Hey All- Blair you have done an awesome job. The web site looks great and thanks so much for putting all the Mariposa stuff up. This is my first time to "blog" and I think I may have sent this already but oh well...:) Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and Christmas will be on us before we know it. It is supposed to be really cold here tonight....into the teens in the early a.m. and then possibly some snow tomorow. I'M READY! Blair, thanks again for all you are doing. It is so wonderful of you to keep everyone connected. You are SPECIAL ! Hi to all the Ft. Worth bunch. Love, Aunt Peg..I just hit enter again and think I may have sent this yet AGAIN. :(

Ok, Gowens family you better start blogging. Blair did this just for the Gowens side family as well so we can start to keep up with one another better. I saw the pictures of the new little Gowens baby. Thank God the baby doesnt look like James. Just playing with ya Mr. James.
Congrats to Gary and Susan and being grandparents again! Betsy and I are going to try to be there for Christmas Eve. Is everyone going to be at Maws for Christmas Eve?
Hope that everyone is doing well and love ya! Jared

Hope everyone is having a great week!! Anybody going to be in Crosbyton over Christmas??? Love, Blair

Hi Gowens family, welcome to the blog experience. Love you all. HOw are things in Crosbyton?? I am planning on being in Crosbyton on Christmas eve and day at Maws. I want to see everybody. Blair