Sunday, August 31, 2008

Happy Birthday to Boston today!!!!! Love ya, Blair and Jay
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BOSTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey family,
Can you believe that Boston is 10 years old?? He is really growing up so fast, like you said Blair, life goes by so fast it makes your head spin. Boston had a party yesterday with some friends his age and Maggie taking them to some "fun" palce. I can't remember the name of it, Kittie told me but then they had cake and etc at 4:00 at Maggie and Kraig's house. I did not go but sent him a card. Right now I am very saving on my gas (setting on empty) and we don't get paid until Tuesday, ha. Anyway I'm sure he had a good party and day.

Eletia, the news is good about the headstone, finally, for you. I know you have been disappointed about it but it will all work out, you'll see. The yellow roses will still be great, even if it is getting on to Fall. Who cares? J W's BD is 16th so I am going to Lamesa on the afternoon of 14th to take some new flowers for him. Sooooooo, Blair and Jay, if you need to stay with me any that weekend, I'll be here Sat and Sunday morning. It will be great to see you!

Blair, I understand how you are feeling about your dad. You can keep pushing the reality of what happen to the back of your mind but then once in a while, it pops forward and there it is looking you right in the face and in your heart. I too miss getting to talk to Mike on the phone. He called me a lot when he was driving, either on a "run" or on the way home. He was so loving and thoughtful. He always knew the right things to say and I miss him so very very much too.

Wayman is having the same feelings you are having about the football talk. J W always called him up and they talked "football" so he is really missing that too. I sent him a clipping of Dirk West cartoon last week where Raider Red was spanking the "hog" for leaving the SWC and going to SEC. It was a really cute cartoon and Wayman called and said he loved it. You know me, I don't "talk" football but am trying to fill in for J W where I can.

I will enjoy the exrta day off tomorrow. I can always find things to do around here to entertain myself. If I was ever able to retire, I would never be bored, for at least 10 years, ha. I know how mother felt now about trying to weed things out and get rid of things. I look around and think, OH MY GOSH, I have got to start working on purging "stuff". I have already spent hours, just cutting up old, old papers and records that are all out dated. I never throw anything away and now it is beginning to show, ha.

Okay, guys, have a great holiday and stay in touch. I love you all!!!!
Maw

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Hey everybody.....Wow time passes huh.....Man, Tech won tonight, but it wasn't the same.....Cause I wish i had the opportunity to talk to Dad about the game and all the excitement about the season. I really miss him right now........I really hurt too for Mom, Jared, April, Maw, Gary and Kittie and everybody else. I know all of you loved him very very much. When I look at the grandkids I think of what they think of Pops.....Anyway, wow, life is really funny that way. Life has been so fast and I think it is just now kind of coming full circle. Dad's gone.......There are days when I have this weird feeling of I can't call my Dad or this panic feeling I can't ask my Dad. Damn what I would give right now to critique a Tech game or hear him get pissed about a call or whatever. Wow......Hey CTown, me and Jay are coming on Sept. 13th to watch tech game with Adam.....We will be there on that Sunday for a little bit.....Anyway, love you all...Blair

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Hello CT,
I just got word today that the granite will be state side Thursday Sept 4. I dont know how long it will be before it will be engraved and then shipped to Crosbyton for placing out at the cemetary. I will let yall know, when I find out. I am anxiously awaiting the day. I have plans on the weekend of Sept 13, but the next one, the 20th may be the date I come out. I just may take some vacation and come on during that week. I dont know who will get to join me, but all that can, would love to have you all. I know the yellow rose thing will be kind of summery for September, but I still think they will be beautiful. Since they are already bought I guess I will just go ahead with this. I have cancelled the bag piper and the dove release, since I could never get a certain date on delivery. It will still be a nice honor just to have a beautiful headstone and family members, who can be there, to help dedicate this headstone. I know Mike is so happy and is having a wonderful time where he is. That does my heart good. I miss him so very much. Was hard to shut the door to the house the last time, but it had to be done and the couple that bought it is so very proud to have it. Working at home from 6-3 now, so many things in my life have changed and are so different. I know life goes on and I am. The hurt and pain will never be gone, but I know Mike would want this for me. Love to you all. Eletia

Monday, August 25, 2008

Aunt Peg and Judy, Jay and I had so much fun with ya'll on Saturday night. Thanks for supper. Love, Blair and Jay

Friday, August 22, 2008

Good morning CT,
Happy BD to everyone and Anniversaries to all. August is a full month. I forgot no one just did not post. We had a great time together for Jared BD and April & Zac Ann. We ate a Genghis Grill and then to the mall, to buy Jareds BD present. I let them pick out the BD since we do BD bigger than Christmas now.
Susan good to hear from you. You need to come and see me and stay like Tressie has done. We make some mischief together. I did get that tattoo, on my ankle. It is a yellow long stem rose, in honor of Mike, since this was his favorite flower and always gave me and all the girls yellow roses for every occasion. Cant say it didnt hurt, or stung. Glad I finally got it done.
The headstone will be in the US next week, yeah. From there he said it would be on extreme rush. We will see. It does sound like we will be there in Sept for the dedication of the headstone. I guess instead of elaborate it will just be something small and from our hearts.
It feels like I am having to learn how to work all over again, trying to keep up with daily work and learn the new process of working from home. I sure do hope it is next week that I get to do this. Since I know I am going to, the drive gets longer and more traffic every day.
I am going to Sheron and Jerrys this weekend we are going to the Margarita and Salsa Festival there. Tressie and Mark are going also. This should be fun.
Love to you all. Eletia

Thursday, August 21, 2008

HAPPY HAPPY "BELATED" ANNIVERSARY TO MAGGIE AND KRAIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here I am again, 3rd time today. Wow when you have so many grandkids and great grandkids, it is hard to remember them all. Sorry I missed it back on Sunday, the 17th kidss but anyway better late than never I guess. Hope you had a great day and just enjoyed Boston and Maddie. I do believe that your wedding was the very last social thing that Papa went to.
Love ya, Maw
HAPPY HAPPY ANNIVERSARY APRIL AND ZAC

Hoping you have great memories today of your wedding day and all the reasons you fell in love and got married. Can't believe you have been married 9 years already. I have a pics here of Mike and Artie made just before your wedding, in the bedroom at Kittie and Gary D's house. I took note that your dad had on a yellow rose. Love you guys!!
Love, Maw
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY JARED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love you and thinking of you today on this your 30th birthday. You will always seem like that little boy sitting at the bar in my kitchen trying to learn your ABC's. I love you Jared!!!
Enjoy your evening out tonight!
Love, Maw

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Hey everybody....Sorry for the long delay on updating the website....I will do better getting things updated with everyone's news and keeping us informed. Thanks Susan for the motivation....Miss everybody....Love bunches, Blair

August 21, Birthday Wishes

Happy birthday Jared! We will be thinking about you on your special day Thursday. We remember the day your were born, we were so excited to have another little baby boy Gowens 30 years ago. Love you, Gary and Susan
Looks like the pizza party was fun, wish Gary and I could have been there. We miss all of you guys and always have each of you in our thoughts and prayers. Eletia, we are excited about your new home. Hopefully we can come see you and yours before to long. We just need to find a weekend free and head on out. I also can't believe Jared will be 30!!!. All of you look great and just wanted everyone to know we love each of you. Blair, Blair thanks for all the hard work you do on this great website. Love to all, Susan

Monday, August 18, 2008

Hey Family
Thanks for the fast reply Eletia. Maybe someday (in my next life) I can get down to see your apt. Is it groundfloor ?? Just wondering, with all the storms now days. I still sound like I came from Oklahoma, ha. Sounds like you also have a pool included? I'm sure Caden and Toby love that as well as the grown kids.
Kittie told me that Peggy and Judy left to go to Dallas today to see Dawn before Dennis takes her back to Arkansas. Don't know if they will look you guys up or not? I have not seen or talked to her since the Sat morning I went to visit her at her house. I'm sure she has been busy getting her house back in shape.

It rained most of the weekend which is good on the yard. I just worked on my new quilt project (1" squares) and made a few potholders. Not anything going on in town. Tax free weekend I guess anyone that could, went to Lubbock shopping. I don't have any gas or money so I have to find my entertainment at home, ha. Guess school will start next week so maybe that will generate some activity downtown too. I went to the bank after lunch to get change and there were only 2 cars parked in the whole block where the Dollar Store and etc are. That is pitiful.

Oh Jared, I talked to Heidi Hays at the grocery store and she said your tenants went to Florida for a week, drove in a suburban. Can you figure what they spent on gas, motels, theme parks, etc?? Too bad they can't pay you rent or move out.
Oops, maybe I need to mind my own business!!!

Eletia, don't give up on the headstone. I was talking to Robbi that use to work here. Her and one of her husbands use to sell headstones and set them and she told me that China is the only place you can get the black granite.She also said it takes a long time. When ever it does get here, don't worry, we will do something special. I know you have been disappointed but I'm sure it will be worth it.

Guess I better get back to work. Megan and I are holding down the office and I am watching her tummy grow daily!!
Love, Maw

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Kathryn, I am doing great. I think I am really going to like my apt. I just signed a 6 month lease, to make sure. It will be tight, but it will be OK. I have had company already. Tressie was here last week and is coming back tomorrow nite. Sheron, Jerry, Cameron, Diane and Brock were here this afternoon. I have had Blair and Jay twice, Jared, Betsy and Kate once and April, Zac, Caden & Toby, twice. They came and swam this afternoon.
Work is really taking lots of my time. I hope I will be here working from home by the end of August. The good thing is I wont be in the traffic for an hour and gasoline shouldnt be too much. It is kind of sad though, because another era of my life is coming to an end and I know change is the way, but it is sad to see. I will have to make myself get out and go.
I got an email from the headstone guy, Matt, last week, telling me he would let me know more on the arrival date, but as usual I got nothing else. I will be in Crosbyton whenever it arrives to see it and I hope it is as special as I want it. I guess I will just cancel all plans for a memorial service, since nothing appears that it will correspond to my dates. I will probably have to work the Labor Day Saturday, but not real sure yet. Will let you know. Sorry, I havent written as of late, it has been kinda busy. I am OK and I am trying to go one with life. Hard sometimes, but I know Mike would want me to do so. Love, Eletia
Eletia, Are you okay?? You are heavy on my mind. Love Ya, Maw

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Hey Everybody....Sorry I haven't updated the webpage a lot this Summer. Hope everyone is doing really well. Love, Blair

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Hey Family
First of all, Eletia, I was thinking of you all day yesterday. This is for sure a new beginning for you and I hope it will be a good one. You are stronger than you realize and you will be fine. It seems our life is made up of all these series through the years and when you look back, it is as if we have lived several lifetimes, our childhood, teenage years, getting married, having our children and on and on. We just have to go the path we are led through life and will never understand it all in this lifetime. Just have to put our faith and trust in God and His plan and His mercy. He is in control and we will be fine. Hold on to that. Life is for the living and we can manage to hold on to the ones we have lost for awhile and then we realize we must go on and do the best we can. Looks like you already have your computer hooked up so that is a great big plus. I am thinking of you daily and love you.

Happy anniversary to Gary and Susan . 34 years and that is a great record. I hope this is a good day for you as you reflect back. You have 4 wonderful children and 2 and 1/8 grandchildren. What more could you ask?

Was able to see Maddie some this week while she was at Kittie and Gary D's. She is so sweet. I know they enjoyed getting to spend some special time with her and am sure Maggie, Kraig and Boston enjoyed their trip. School will soon be starting in a couple of weeks I guess.

Megan is doing great with her pregnancy. She is feeling good and really "filling out". I have enjoyed her company at the office this summer. Before she came, I was talking to the walls a lot.

Enjoyed the video of Kate for her half birthday. Can you believe she is already that old?? I will be waiting to hear what baby #2 is in Sept. Will need to get started on yet another baby quilt. I already have Michael's made, basketball theme. It is really cute. Then will also be waiting to hear about James and Shavonne's baby #2. Gives me something to look forward to. I love making the quilts once I decide on the color and theme. I am between quilts right now so I am piecing one out of leftover strips of fabric from Toby's quilt and the pieces are 1" squares. I believe it is called "stamp" piecing because they look like stamps. Kittie said I had too much patience! Ha.
Has April heard back from her test yet??Hope there is some medicine to get her cured of the ulcer. Have enjoyed Blair's e-mails this week. Okay, got to get some lunch started. Hoping everyone has a great week. Love, Maw

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Congratulations to James and Shavonne. Love you Eletia

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Congratulations Gowens Trio.....Another Gowens coming our way. Couldn't get any better. I love it! Love you all bunches, Blair

Spreading the News (If you don't already know)

I just wanted to stop in to say we missed many of you at the get together this weekend, but we still had a BLAST!!!
I'm not too sure how fast word travels from Jared, or if who all has visited our website so I'll go ahead and announce it here: James and I are pregnant!!! Yes, that's correct. Brock is going to be a BIG Brother! James and I are thrilled, and Brock keeps saying "baby" so we are just walking around with a permenant grin on our faces! God is good!!!
I also wanted to personally thank Maw, Maggie, and Kittie for your congratulatory entries on the webpage! When we read of everyone elses excitement we seem to get excited all over again! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

God Bless,
The Gowens' Family Trio

Friday, August 1, 2008

Hey Family
Was so glad Eletia called this morning to tell me April's procedure went okay. we want our Baby A to be well for sure. Hope she can rest up this weekend. It is so very very hot and dry here. Too hot to get outside for anything. I will call her tomorrow to check on her again and see how she is feeling.

So glad it is the weekend coming up so I don't have to keep getting in and out of the hot car going to work and back. Hope everyone has a good weekend.
Love, Maw