Back home

Well, we're back home in MO, after spending a "few hours"...lol in Indianapolis. We got into Indy around 11:30, and ended up making arrangements with Lee's cousin, to meet them at the Denny's where they were having a late supper. So, we tormented the waiter at Denny's till going on 1:00. He was a fabulous kid, and took it all in stride, joining in on our fun!

naturally, even when we got back to Lee's mom's, we still had to sit around, talk, and unwind a bit, before calling it a night. We met up with Lee's sister to deliver her wedding rings that Lee made, and got to spend a bit of time with her. We had to rush back and pick up Laura, then we headed to the park to spend time with cousins, nieces, brothers...just a whole slew of us, to celebrate laura's b.d. which was on Sunday. We had a beautiful day for it, and naurally, all the kids had a ball playing.

Of course, we were hoping to get out of their sooner than we did. that's the way it always goes when we visit though. We finally got headed out around 6...an hour later than we had hoped, and even hoped sooner than that....but...it just wasn't happenin'! So, instead of arriving home before midnight, we didn't get in till going on 2am, and dead to the world, after the long drive home. But, thank God, it was a safe trip, up and back, no car problems, and everything went great.

I felt like death warmed over this morning, when I had to get up to be at work at 11. I had to be up a little earlier, since I had to get my Avon order in before leaving for work. although, it doesn't have to be in till noon...but that doesn't do me much good when I'm at work. lol

Lee's out getting car inspected. We were hoping to make it to the license bureau tonight, since tomorrow the tags are no good. I'm gonna have to go there tomorrow, unless by some miracle they finish with the inspection before 5, which is in the next 25mins. They told Lee it would be about an hour wait...so I seriously doubt if they get to him any earlier. It would sure be nice if they would...so I'm not driving on expired tags tomorrow...trying to get to the DMV.

Well, guess I'll head out. Just wanted to let everyone know we made it home safely from our trip. I'm not sure when we're headed back again.

Hope everyone had a good weekend...we'll talk later!
Much love,
Lev

Just droppin' in

Just a quick note to say "HI". I haven't been on much at all, just a short time yesterday morning, before having to go to work. Once work was over, I had to take the car in to have a tire checked. Then made the little over an hour drive to the lake to pick up Lee's mom, and bring her back to Columbia, to spend last night with us. We are leaving, probably within the next 1 1/2 hr. or so, and headed to Indy, to take her back home. Lee had a bunch of stuff still at work to do, so he did have to go in for awhile today, to try and finish up, or we could have left before now. He is due home in 30 mins. or so, and then it will just be a matter of getting the car loaded and we'll head out. We were talking about stopping in St. Louis for a bit, to sees Lee's nieces new baby, but I haven't heard any definate word on that, so I'm not sure if that is still in the plans or not. Lee doesn't work Mon, but I do, so we're going to have to turn around and leave tomorrow, so won't get to spend as much time there as we'd like.

We are going to meet up with Lee's sister Amanda, who is in Indy this week for her wedding shower. Lee made their wedding rings for them, and we're going to deliver them to her while we're there. Her and Don are getting married next month, but the wedding is in the DC/Arlington area, and as much as we'd like to know, I don't believe that finances are going to allow us to do that, even with the fact that we have a place to stay free of charge, which is definately a big savings, not having to worry about hotel cost, but there's still the matter of the cost to get there. We definately can't afford to fly 3 of us there, and right now gas in MO is $2.78 gal....and I hate to think what it will be in the DC area. Then, none of us have ever been to DC, so there would be lots of stuff I'd love to go visit while there, that I might not ever have the chance to see again....so, being able to spend at least a couple of days there, doing the tourist thing, would be another added expense. So...who knows.

Anyway, just wanted to let everyone know why I hadn't been around much, and won't be for awhile. We'll get home late Sunday night...gonna do my best to make it before midnight...lol...since I have to work the next day. But, depending on when we get home, I'll probably pop online for a few, to check and see what's been going on over the weekend.
Hopefully, I'll be back in "fullswing" sometime monday...probably evening.

Hope you are all having a fabulous weekend. It's beautiful here in MO, so I hope the rest of you are enjoying a beautiful weekend as well.

Much love,
Lev

My Beautiful America!

another beautiful video you DON'T want to miss


http://oldbluewebdesigns.com/mybeautifulamerica.htm

AMAZING....

This is FABULOUS....DON'T MISS IT!

AMAZING WHAT OUR GOD CAN DO

http://www.greatdanepro.com/somewhere%20in%20time/index.htm

Hanoi Jane....traitor to be honored

IF YOU NEVER FORWARDED ANYTHING IN YOUR LIFE FORWARD THIS SO> >>THAT EVERYONE WILL KNOW!!!!!!> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >> She really was> >>> >> a traitor> >>> >>> >>> >> A TRAITOR IS ABOUT TO BE HONORED> >>> >> KEEP THIS MOVING ACROSS AMERICA> >>> >>> >>> >> This is for all the kids born in the 70's who do> >>> >> Not remember, and didn't have to bear the> >>> >> Burden that our fathers, mothers and older> >>> >> Brothers and sisters had to bear.> >>> >>> >>> >> Jane Fonda is being honored as one of the> >>> >> "100 Women of the Century."> >>> >>> >>> >> BY BARBRA WALTERS> >>> >>> >>> >> Unfortunately, many have forgotten and still> >>> >> Countless others have never known how Ms.> >>> >> Fonda betrayed not only the idea of our country,> >>> >> But specific men who served and sacrificed> >>> >> During Vietnam .> >>> >>> >>> >> The first part of this is from an F-4E pilot> >>> >>> >>> >> The pilot's name is Jerry Driscoll, a River Rat.> >>> >>> >>> >> In 1968, the former Commandant of the USAF> >>> >> Survival School was a POW in Ho Lo Prison> >>> >> The "Hanoi Hilton."> >>> >>> >>> >> Dragged from a stinking cesspit of a cell,> >>> >> Cleaned, fed, and dressed in clean PJ's, he was> >>> >> Ordered to describe for a visiting American> >>> >> "Peace Activist" the "lenient and humane> >>> >> Treatment" he'd received.> >>> >>> >>> >> He spat at Ms. Fonda, was clubbed, and was> >>> >> Dragged away.> >>> >> During the subsequent beating, he fell forward> >>> >> On to the camp Commandant 'S feet, which> >>> >> Sent that officer berserk.> >>> >>> >>> >> In 1978, the Air Force Colonel still suffered from> >>> >> Double vision (which permanently ended his> >>> >> Flying career) from the Commandant's frenzied> >>> >> Application of a wooden baton.> >>> >>> >>> >> From 1963-65, Col. Larry Carrigan was in the> >>> >> 47FW/DO (F-4E's). He spent 6 years in the> >>> >> "Hanoi Hilton",,, the first three of which his> >>> >> Family only knew he was "missing in action".> >>> >> His wife lived on faith that he was still alive.> >>> >> His group, too, got the cleaned-up, fed and> >>> >> Clothed routine in preparation for a> >>> >> "peace delegation" visit.> >>> >> They, however, had time and devised a plan to> >>> >> Get word to the world that they were alive> >>> >> And still survived. Each man secreted a tiny> >>> >> Piece of paper, with his Social Security Number> >>> >> On it, in the palm of his hand.> >>> >>> >>> >> When paraded before Ms. Fonda and a> >>> >> Cameraman, she walked the line, shaking each> >>> >> man's hand and asking little encouraging> >>> >> Snippets like: "Aren't you sorry you bombed> >>> >> Babies?" and "Are you grateful for the humane> >>> >> Treatment from your benevolent captors?"> >>> >> Believing this HAD to be an act, they each> >>> >> Palmed her their sliver of paper.> >>> >> She took them all without missing a beat. At the> >>> >> End of the line and once the camera stopped> >>> >> Rolling, to the shocked disbelief of the POWs,> >>> >> She turned to the officer in charge and handed> >>> >> Him all the little pieces of paper.> >>> >>> >>> >> Three men died from the subsequent beatings.> >>> >> Colonel Carrigan was almost number four> >>> >> But he survived, which is the only reason we> >>> >> Know of her actions that day.> >>> >>> >>> >> I was a civilian economic development advisor> >>> >> In Vietnam , and was captured by the North> >>> >> Vietnamese communists in South Vietnam in> >>> >> 1968, and held prisoner for over 5 years.> >>> >>> >>> >> I spent 27 months in solitary confinement; one> >>> >> Year in a cage in Cambodia ; and one year> >>> >> In a "black box" in Hanoi> >>> >> My North Vietnamese captors deliberately> >>> >> Poisoned and murdered a female missionary, a> >>> >> Nurse in a leprosarium in Ban me Thuot, South> >>> >> Vietnam , whom I buried in the jungle near the> >>> >>> >>> >> Cambodian border.> >>> >>> >>> >> At one time, I weighed only about 90 lbs> >>> >>> >>> >> We were Jane Fonda's "war criminals."> >>> >>> >>> >> When Jane Fonda was in Hanoi , I was asked by> >>> >> The camp communist political officer if I would> >>> >> Be willing to meet with her.> >>> >>> >>> >> I said yes, for I wanted to tell her about the real> >>> >> Treatment we POWs received... And how> >>> >> Different it was from the treatment purported by> >>> >> The North Vietnamese, and parroted by her as> >>> >> "humane and lenient."> >>> >>> >>> >> Because of this, I spent three days on a rocky> >>> >> Floor on my knees, with my arms outstretched> >>> >> With a large steel weights placed on my hands,> >>> >> And beaten with a bamboo cane.> >>> >>> >>> >> I had the opportunity to meet with Jane Fonda> >>> >> Soon after I was released. I asked her> >>> >> If she would be willing to debate me on TV.> >>> >> She never did answer me.> >>> >>> >>> >> These first-hand experiences do not exemplify> >>> >> Someone who should be honored as part> >>> >> Of "100 Years of Great Women."> >>> >> Lest we forget..." 100 Years of Great Women"> >>> >> should never include a traitor whose hands are> >>> >> covered with the blood of so many patriots.> >>> >>> >>> >> There are few things I have strong visceral> >>> >> reactions to, but Hanoi Jane's participation in> >>> >> blatant treason, is one of them.> >>> >> Please take the time to forward to as many> >>> >> people as you possibly can.> >>> >> It will eventually end up on her computer and> >>> >> she needs to know that we will never forget.> >>> >> RONALD D. SAMPSON, CMSgt, USAF> >>> >> 716 Maintenance Squadron, Chief of> >>> >> Maintenance> >>> >> DSN: 875-6431> >>> >> COMM: 883-6343> >>> >>> >>> >> PLEASE HELP BY SENDING THIS TO> >>> >> EVERYONE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK. IF> >>> >> ENOUGH PEOPLE SEE THIS MAYBE HER> >>> >> STATUS WILL CHANGE> >>> >>

"Tiny Bubbles" singer Ho dies

'Tiny Bubbles' singer Don Ho dies at 76 By JAYMES SONG, Associated Press Writer
Sun Apr 15, 7:38 AM ET



HONOLULU - Legendary crooner Don Ho, who entertained tourists for decades wearing raspberry-tinted sunglasses and singing the catchy signature tune "Tiny Bubbles," has died. He was 76.

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He died Saturday morning of heart failure, publicist Donna Jung said.

Ho had suffered with heart problems for the past several years, and had a pacemaker installed last fall. In 2005, he underwent an experimental stem cell procedure on his ailing heart in Thailand.

Promoter Tom Moffatt said he attended Ho's final show Thursday and Ho received a standing ovation. Afterward, Ho reminisced about his many years in Waikiki and talked about how Judy Garland sang with him one night.

"Don was in great spirits," he said. "He was fine."

Ho entertained Hollywood's biggest stars and thousands of tourists for four decades. For many, no trip to Hawaii was complete without seeing his Waikiki show — a mix of songs, jokes, double entendres, Hawaii history and audience participation.

Shows usually started and ended with the same song, "Tiny Bubbles." Ho mostly hummed the song's swaying melody as the audience enthusiastically took over the familiar lyrics: "Tiny bubbles/in the wine/make me happy/make me feel fine."

"I hate that song," he often joked to the crowd. He said he performed it twice because "people my age can't remember if we did it or not."

The son of bar owners, Ho broke into the Waikiki entertainment scene in the early 1960s and, except for short periods, never left. Few artists are more associated with one place.

"Hawaii is my partner," Ho told The Associated Press in 2004.

Donald Tai Loy Ho, who was Hawaiian, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and German, was born Aug. 13, 1930, in Honolulu and grew up in the then-rural countryside of Kaneohe.

In high school, he was a star football player and worked for a brief time in a pineapple cannery. After graduating in 1949, he attended Springfield College in Massachusetts on an athletic scholarship. He grew homesick, returned to the islands and ended up graduating from the University of Hawaii in 1953 with a degree in sociology.

Inspired by the U.S. military planes flying in and out of Hawaii during World War II, Ho joined the Air Force. As the Korean War wound down, he piloted transport planes between Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu and Tokyo.

When he returned home and took over his parents' struggling neighborhood bar, Honey's, he put together a band and started performing at his father's request.

"I had no intention of being an entertainer," Ho said. "I just played songs I liked from the radio, and pretty soon that place was jammed. Every weekend there would be lines down the street."

Honey's became a happening place on Oahu, with other Hawaiian musicians stopping in for jam sessions. Ho began to play at various spots in Hawaii, then had a breakout year in 1966, when appearances at the Coconut Grove in Hollywood helped him build a mainland following, and the release of "Tiny Bubbles" gave him his greatest recording success.

Soon he was packing places such as the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. Stars such as Lucille Ball, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra were known to be in the audience for Ho's shows.

Ho also became a television star, and hosted the "The Don Ho Show" on ABC from 1976-77. One of Ho's most memorable TV appearances was a 1972 cameo on an episode of "The Brady Bunch."

"I've had too much fun all these years," he said in the 2004 interview. "I feel real guilty about it."

Gov. Linda Lingle said Ho created a legacy that will inspire future generations of musicians in Hawaii.

"Hawaii has lost a true island treasure," she said. "He laid the foundation for the international prominence Hawaii's music industry enjoys today."

Besides "Tiny Bubbles," his other well-known songs include "I'll Remember You," "With All My Love," and the "Hawaiian Wedding Song."

In the final years of his life, Ho's heart problems couldn't keep him away from the stage. He was back performing at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel on a limited schedule less than two months after his heart procedure in Thailand. His final performance was Thursday, Jung said.

Ho is survived by his wife, Haumea, and 10 children, including Hoku, who sometimes performed with her father.

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Been Awhile

How's everyone doing? I don't think I've even been in to touch base for awhile. The days seem to go by so fast, and you just wonder where the time went, from one day to the next. I still can't believe that it's the middle of April, since I can't really tell ya where Jan, Feb, and March went....lol Just flew out the window to somewhere. hehehehehe

We had a great Easter. We went to Lebanon to visit my mom and dad. Dad hasn't been doing too well, and we're still concerned about his weakness, but just trust that God will give him and us the strength that is needed. We had a great supper, and enjoyed a visit from my Uncle Doc, and Aunt Charlotte. It's always good to see them.

Things haven't been much different around here. Lee's still working his butt off, and I'm not. lol ....working that is. Hopefully, that will change, as of today, since I'm hoping to hear back on a job interview that I went to yesterday. It sounds very promising. It isn't what you'd call full time, and really isn't going to bring in what we would like money wise, but it will definately help. It's difficult to be picky, and choosy when trying to find a job, but then, I feel like I need to be. I've never enjoyed working nights, or weekends, and I have had to do it. But, being a wife and mother, I don't want to have to pass my hubby, and child going through the door. I definately need to help out financially, but I also have other things that I feel are a big obligation, and I can't ignore them either. With Lee and I getting older, naturally, that means our parents are, and as children, there are times when weekends are needed to go help them out in one way or another. This, I believe is my obligation,....they spent the majority of their lives caring for us. Lee's job, fortunately, allows him to take off, just about whenever it's needed, so I really feel I need to try and keep my weekends free because of this. After fallling and breaking my hip 3 yrs. ago, I've also found out that I can't take a long time of standing, or sitting, and need to be in a job where I'm able to move around a bit. I've done waitressing for many yrs, but I don't think my leg would take that anymore...without feeling like it was falling off. Face it...I'm just gettin' old and funky, and not able to do what I use to. Lee's starting to feel the same. It's catchin' up with us. lol So, sometime, only wanting to work days, and no weekends, can make it a bit difficult to find a job. Fortunately, this place needs day work, and doesn't involve weekends. So...after my interview yesterday, he said they'd give me a call...probably today, and try to get me on the schedule. Since today is Thur. with only one day left before the weekend, I'm assuming maybe, that I might be on the schedule starting Mon. But...don't know anything yet, and haven't heard from them. Of course, it's the lunch hour, so I'm not expecting anything till after 2 or so, when things calm down.

We talked to Kirk and Tara-Lee and Sat. They're doin' great, and were having a fabulous Easter. Lilly, and Eva, made out like bandits, it seems, with candy, toys, etc. Kirk is still lovin' his job at the windfarm. Lilly is growing like a weed!!! 8lbs. 6oz., I believe is what Tara-Lee said. I feel bad now that I can't remember exactly what she weighed, and I'm usually pretty good at that. She was 5lbs...something.... 10oz., I wanna say, because I remember talking about landon being only 5lbs. 11oz. the day we took him home from the hosp. She wasn't but a couple of ozs. less than that, if I recall. The drs. say she's doin' great. Eva is doing great as well...taking about 10 steps or so now, by herself. The physical therapy, plus her braces, and the swimming, have really helped to strengthen her legs. I have every confidence, that pretty soon, she's gonna be runnin' all over the place, and getting into EVERYTHING!!!! lol Of couse, she's already been doing that for a few months. lol

We always look forward to the weekend, and it's almost here. Our family is REALLY looking forward to next weekend, Lee's cousin, Mike, his daughter Kelsey, is getting married on the 21st, and we'll be headed to the lake for her wedding. We're all really excited. lee's mom will be coming down from Indy, so we'll get to see her as well. We may be headed back to Indy the following weekend, since Lee's sister will be in for her bridal shower. Her wedding is in DC, in May, and I don't know that we're going to be able to make it, so we're at least hoping to maybe get up so that Moriah and i can attend the shower, and we'll be able to see her some. But, we're still not sure.

So...guess that's about covered the past few days, and the "maybe's" that might be coming up. Hope you all had a wonderful Easter!

Take care
Much love,
Lev
AVON, CALLING...

The desire to reach the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts, wise.
Dr. Maya Angelou

United States Map

UNITED STATES MAP -
A father wanted to read a magazine but was being bothered by his little girl, Shelby. She wanted to know what the United States looked like. Finally, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on which was printed the map of the country. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Shelby , and said, "Go into the other room and see if you can put this together. This will show you our whole country today." After a few minutes, Shelby returned and handed him the map, correctly fitted and taped together. The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly. "Oh," she said, "on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then our country just came together."

A Special HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Today is my granddaughers birthday! Eva Marinda is 2 yrs. old today. I remember we didn't think she was ever going to get here...making I can't remember how many trips back and forth to the hospital, just to get sent home again! I remember them telling us the last time we went it, that "yeah"...this was it...Tara-Lee was going to have this baby. Then...the hands passed midnight...into April 1, and I just new at any point that the dr. would be coming out and telling us...."APRIL FOOLS"....not yet...lol
But...they didn't, and Eva Mirinda was born April 1, 2005.
she was named Eva after her Great Great Grandmother...my Granny, and being born on the 1st...shares the same birthday as her Great Grandma...(Tara-Lee's grandmother)
Here she is...the day we brought her home from the hospital...and now look at her with her new baby sister, Lilly. She has grown up soooooooo fast! I just wish we could have been there to celebrate her birthday with her. As you know, Kirk, and Tara-Lee live in Australia. We haven't seen Eva since she was 4mos. old, when they left the states for Australia!
We miss them so so much! We called last night...put the phone on speaker, and Lee and I sang "Happy Birthday" to her! Kirk said she just smiled really big, and looked at the phone, like she couldn't figure out where the song was coming from...lol
Eva...we love you and miss you so so much! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OUR PRECIOUS EVA!

Power Engineering - South Australia's largest wind farm

Hey everyone...thought I'd drop a line, and these links if anyone would be interested in seeing them. This is where Kirk is now working...helping to erect these windmills used for electricity in S. Australia. He is really enjoying working there. I've seen picts. of these from sites out in Calif. where they use wind powered electricity. Kirk said that it takes something like 9 yrs. for these things to run, before they ever start producing the amt. of electricity needed. Looks like it would be a pretty facinating place to visit, and is mentioned in alot of travel tips as sightseeing for tourist. Maybe one of these days I'll make it there, to be able and see them. Thought you all might enjoy looking!
Take care
Lev
http://www.power-technology.com/projects/canunda/
http://www.windprospect.com.au/sites/lake_bonney.html
http://pepei.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?ARTICLE_ID=224365&p=6
http://www.bcse.org.au/docs/Project%20Profiles/LakeBonneyI.pdf