cookerowell

2008-10-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

On his blog, Barry challenged us to a MEME post in which we EACH list 7 facts about ourselves. It took a long time for me to think of seven facts but at long last I was able to think--and here they are.
1) Research--I love research! I really do and that is probably why I enjoy genealogy. Lets face it--our family is pretty boring but the history surrounding them is fascinating. The internet allows us access to us so much more information than in the past. No longer do we have to "walk" the cemeteries to find family graves.
2) Der's smile during a jam session makes everything worth while. No one enjoys music with his friends more than Der.
3) Museums are totally stress free. The world is up tight but once you enter a museum and feast your eyes on the riches of the past, all worries and stress evaporate. My favorite picture is St Matthew in the Kimbel. However, I also vist the Remingtons and Russells in the Amon Carter.
4) College students are a breath of fresh air. They are on their own for the first time and all time stretches in front of them. They are a real joy.
5) No one can go to the PraiSingers Choir (age 55 and up) with Bill Pearson and not experience true fellowship and hard work. The music is fantastic and Bill is a very patient director--even if we don't look at him as often as he would like. Bill is probably the biggest optimist there is, too. He expects us to learn at least three of the songs we are singing. Keep in mind--all of us are over 55 and some of us are way over!
6) The sound of close harmony must be the music of angels (or is that angles?).
7) Whenever Der and I travel we have adventures! There was the time in CA we were on a (closed) one lane dirt road up the side of a mountain with a 1500 foot drop off and met a road grader--which we had to pass--and did with God's help. The time a lady asked us to be a spotter as she skied on one ski around Big Bear Lake in CA. Her husband drove the boat and told us all about the mobsters who used to own the property. In Vermont, we met a family who knew my Dad. In fact, one of them had bailed hay for him! We were really shocked when we met the trader at an Indian trading post in Arizona whose wife was raised in Sundown, TX--where some of Der's relatives lived.

Just for free--here is an eighth fact! You'd never guess, but I love exclamation points! They are fun, interesting and add pizzaz to just about everything!

So, come on family. Lets here your 7 facts!
PS: Dad will add his later.
Mom

Update from the Granbury Rowells

2008-10-19T17:44:00.000-07:00

Hey, everyone! I know it has been awhile since I blogged, so I thought I would update everyone on what is going on here in Granbury.

First, let me share some pictures from my birthday celebration on September 21 at Ken & Elizabeth's house in Mansfield:

Above: Katie, Ken & Dad chatting in the living room.
Mom & Elizabeth, who were not sure about getting their picture taken, and may kill me for blogging it :) But what the hay, you only live once! *grin*

Since the only kids I have are furry ones, I thought I would upload a few cute picts I took:

Above, Lemur and Andy took a bit of a catnap on the clothes I had just pulled from the dryer. And below, Millie and Perky in the office window - is it any wonder I cannot grow anything in that pot? :)

I have recently started fostering for the Hood County Animal Shelter. I have a family of cats (Mama and two kittens) living in my guest room. They were rescued from a possum attack and only two of the kittens survived. I will be fostering them until the kittens are weaned (3 more weeks) and will then return them to the shelter (or other rescue organization) for adoption. Since I am going out of town for the Thanksgiving holidays, I won't get a new foster family until after I get back.

I am trying to get involved with some of the Parker County rescue organizations so that I can foster animals that can go to the new PetSmart every weekend for adoption. Currently, once the Hoood County shelter only has adoption events once a month. I am hoping that if I can get involved with one of the Parker County rescue organizations, I can foster cats from Hood County, but take them to the Parker County weekly events as well as the Hood County monthly events. The idea being that the more they are seen in public, the better chance the animals have at being adopted. Anyway, I thought you might want to see my very first foster family. I call them Little Mama, Noisykitty, and QuietOne (not names, but descriptions really, I cannot and will not name them for obvious reasons).

Well, I guess I better sign off, I still have to finish my expense reports for work, and laundry waits for no woman!

With all my love,

Ellen

Surpirse at night

2008-10-09T20:08:00.000-07:00

I gave my friend, Valerie, St Francis from Peggy's house. Then we decided to start decorating him for the different holidays and their birthdays. SO for "pay back" this is what we found on our porch, straight from Mexico!

This is Mary and she came with two candles.

What a great surprise.

Bekah wasn't sure what to think! We did not light the Mary or Jesus candle. I am not sure what Jim will think of it. But I am glad we have tall bushes because I REALLY don't know what the school and school friends will think of Mary. How do you solve a problem like Mary?

Fun times with the Cookes

2008-10-07T18:37:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad came to Midland to watch Will play football. He was the starting center for the first time and he did great. Especially since he had not practiced that position before. I was glad Mom and Dad were able to be there. Then we celebrated by eating Mexican food. YUM>But Jim and WIll went to a Tech game instead of eating with us.

(I will add pictures of Will playing football later. I am not sure how to do it from a cd.)

The next weekend we went to Ft. Worth.

We had a great time . Bekah and I went there to see Mom and Dad and to celebrate my high school reunion. It was fun to eat at Risky's BBQ in the stockyards. It was a quick trip but fun. The week before that was crazy with homecoming activities. I have included some pictures for your enjoyment.

Powderpuff football seniors vs jr. Senior won. Bekah was the center part of the game, just like her dad and brother!

This is Bekah's Ft. Worth project. She painted the skyline with glitter paint. It looked great. For an added treat to her presentation she served coke in Kincaid glasses that the manager of Kincaid's gave her!

This is a dresser we got from Peggy's for Will. It is solid Maple. I wish I had gotten a before picture. It was an ugly green/black color with brass handles. I painted it black and spray painted the handles silver. I think it looks pretty good!

We celebrated Wll's birthday at Chili's. This is his new camera! Happy 14th birthday!

Pickin' Party

2008-10-02T05:29:00.000-07:00

Your Dad usually sits over by the lamp. But the best part of one of these events is the smile on your Dad's face. He picks up the guitar and never stops smiling.

Pickin' party in the living room. Not the picture I intended but can't see real well! Der is admiring our new sidewalk. I know, at one time the pavers had a red and white pattern and although the design was very attractive it did detract from the overall picture. Der has enjoyed sitting in the chair (just behind him) and watching the world go by.

UPDATE!

2008-09-17T11:26:00.001-07:00

Hi All! Maybe I can get this post published but I haven't had much luck so far!

It is nice and cool here--perfect fall weather. If it weren't for the mosquitos it would be great to be outside. We have finally taken all the red paving stones up and replaced them with white ones and I think it looks a lot better. Your Dad still isn't too certain, but if, over time, he doesn't like them we'll replace the red pavers. I'll take a picture and try to post it! (Good luck on that one!) We put two plants on plant stands and one of our chairs on the front porch and it looks really nice. You can't get in the door but it looks nice.
Dad went to the optomitrist this AM and will have cataract surgery--one on October 13 and the other one on November 11. The process is supposed to be pretty simple. Your Dad is really ready to get it done.
PraiSingers sings with the chancel choir this Sunday as Kirk Cameron is our guest speaker. That should be a lot of fun.
Der played with a group over in Richland Hills at a B-B-Q place and really had a lot of fun. I went to a Bible Study at church--should be interesting as it is on the "Ascent" Psalms--120 to 134. These were the songs the Jews sang on pilgrimages each year.
Love,
Mom n Dad

Cookes and Rowells at Joe T. Garcia's

2008-08-28T18:13:00.000-07:00

My pictures aren't very good, but I thought I'd share them all with you all anyway (spreading my pain around, perhaps...? I dunno...). We had a such a wonderful time with the family (depleted by one-quarter, of course, but don't think we didn't talk about how much we missed you, Heather... by Sunday morning, it was starting to get a little maudlin, actually...). It was all too short, as always. When Catherine and I were driving to Wichita Falls along Jacksboro Highway, we passed (as we always do) the exit to Newark (Texas, of course). And every time we pass it, we wish that there truly was a wormhole from just across the river in New Jersey to just northwest of Fort Worth so that we could be only an hour away from you all.

We love you all and can't wait to see you all again!
Barry and Catherine

Thank you Aunt Heather and family!!

2008-08-16T18:05:00.000-07:00

Here are pictures of us with our Olympic shirls on. We think Chinese people are a bit smaller than we are. What do you think? Pretty sure we won't be drying these shirts. : p

Facebook | My Photos - Kingdom Education Conference

2008-08-05T18:54:00.000-07:00

Facebook My Photos - Kingdom Education Conference

Hannah, Heather and Alan

2008-07-30T07:24:00.001-07:00

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Sam says, "I miss you Momma and Daddy. I can't wait to see Baby Hannah. I love you. Bye."

Grandma and Grandpa say you are in our prayers daily and at every moment we think of you. Hannah is definately her own person. And you are wise to hold her and love her and just let her be. That is good that she is getting in bed with (not really "on") you. That will put her closer to Alan, too. Dad says, he knows that Alan is a little hurt because she won't go to him, but it is not surprising because all Hannah knows is women. Her little world has not had a lot of men and certainly not for any length of time. But what a joy she has in front of her! By the way, does she like ice cream? Remember how you longed for the boys to talk? And then when they began to talk you almost wished they wouldn't? Better enjoy the same with Hannah. Remember those pictures of her in the orphanage? I feel pretty sure that when she gets her comfort level up, you aren't going to be able to keep up with her! She has definately shown that she likes to explore and that she likes other children. You are wise to be a patient as you are. You have waited this long to get her and your patience will be rewarded in this area when she begins to blossom. And it WILL happen!!

On the home front, the boys miss you. We are playing a lot of basketball, UNO Attack, and watching TV and playing on the computer. Today, we decided to go to the Children's museum as Karen's family is coming around 6 pm tonight. Thursday, we'll go to the Tree House and Friday, Andrea and her children are coming around 9 AM and staying through lunch. Grandpa and I are going to Dillards Close out sale. So we have a busy week planned.

Jacob says, "I miss you Mom and Dad. Jacob really liked Thomas and he liked riding Thomas the very best. He got to ride in the front with the driver of a 1945 French Fire Truck--that was an original Freemont fire truck. Sam liked the Fire truck ride and he liked the Thomas ride. He says he likes to play UNO Attack with Grandma, but that is just because he always wins!!!! He helped water the new grass this morning and then he shot a few baskets. He is getting pretty good with his dribbling and he likes to try to steal the basketball!

China sounds really fascinating! Hope you are getting a lot of good video. You are getting some really good photos and we are really enjoying them.

Gotta go. We are off to the Children's Museum.

Love,
Mom and Dad

Welcome, Hannah

2008-07-28T16:57:00.001-07:00

We have been wearing out the computer waiting for these pictures and now they are here! We are all excited about our newest granddaughter, Hannah Grace. She is a beautiful little girl and we are anxious to get her home. Grandpa said he didn't think he would spoil her very much--right!

Sam said to tell Hannah he loves her and he misses Mom and Dad. Jacob said he is happy to have a baby sister and is looking forward to seeing her. Der and I are thrilled to death, Heather! What an exciting time for all of you. Hannah is such a precious little girl. And what a voyage of discovery the three of you are on. I am really glad you have these two weeks to get acquainted and begin to learn about each other. Sure hope she learns to swallow watermellon! The three of you are in our prayers.

We wrote a comment on your blog, Heather, but somehow it didnt work so we came over to this one. Hope you can read it.

Our other granddaughter is celebrating a momentous time in her life--she just registered for her classes for her senior year. And it seems like only yesterday that she was Hannah's age, sitting on her grandpa's lap and getting spoiled. What a beautiful young lady she is!

Sam and Jacob are doing fine. They are helping Grandpa water the new grass around the court and I'm sure they aren't getting wet! We went to church on Sunday and Alan, you were right, the preacher was truly outstanding. He used an outline for his sermon on prayer! No doubt one of the best sermons I've ever heard. We sat in the balcony and will sit there again next Sunday--but higher up. I did tell Jacob that when Mom and Dad come home he will probably NOT sit in the balcony. But what the heck--we're grandparents. The boys have also enjoyed the pool and I am afraid Sam has become addicted to oreos. We are fine here and just awaiting the arrival of Mom and Dad and Hannah.

Love,
Mom N Dad

Still Learning

2008-07-28T16:50:00.000-07:00

Hi All

Still learning about blogging! Kelly is teaching me. Can't seem to sign in on Heather's blog.
Will see if this works.

Mom N Dad

Hannah

2008-07-28T16:38:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone has checked out Heather and Alan's blog to see pictures of Hannah. She is beautiful. I am so happy for them.
I can't wait to see everyone in August. It will be fun to be together. I can't believe school is about to begin. We start back August 18 and the kids come the 25th. TOO FAST! Especially since it is Bekah's senior year. We are doing senior pictures this week. Hopefully I will figure out how to post them. THanks for reading. Love, Kelly

Happy Bastille Day!

2008-07-14T16:47:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I am at Kelly King's house. We just enjoyed (shared) a fabulous dinner at On the Border! Yum! La Madeline was too crowded for us to get our celebratory croissant so we decided to go Mexican! Ole instead of tres bien! Have a great Bastille Day! Now it is time for CAKE!

2008-07-13T19:57:00.000-07:00

Hi Kell, thanks for introducing us to the fascinating world of blog! How our world is expanding! Dad just got a headache personally--but he will love it. Now all you have to do is teach us how to use it.

We had a wonderful time with Will even though it was a short time. He went with us to the barn and was pretty amazed at the 90 year old woman who was dancing a jig! He was really tired as he had just come in from a baseball camp. He went to church with us and then we ate Chinese food. (Grandpa and Grandma took a nap when they got home.) Late that afternoon we went to Granbury, mowed the lawn, cleaned the house and went to bed! Will wanted us to get him up at 5:30 am but we woke a 6:15 am. By 6:30 Will and Grandpa were out on the dock fishing. I took them some breakfast and around 11:30 took them some lunch. Will did not leave the dock! He caught a lot of fish--including about a two pound large mouth bass! It was pretty! And Will baited his own hook and took the fish off the hook--a real fisherman! We also dropped by Costco for a mocha drink and barbecued and worked jig saw puzzles and had a lot of fun. Tues AM we drove to Abilene to meet Jim. We throughly enjoyed our time with Will and looking forward to spending time with our Bekah.

Heather, we are looking forward to seeing you and spending time with the boys. We saw Trevi after choir today and she was very excited about Baby Hannah. She even had tears in her eyes! I'm really glad the couple from Omaha is going with you. Can't find a babybook! They all have the first year and then just a blank page (or 1/2 a page) for years 2-4. Will try again tomorrow and see what else we can't find!

Love, Mom

Still Trying To figure Out How This Works

2008-07-09T20:39:00.000-07:00

I am scared to say that I have lost touch with my computer---I have no idea how to use a blog. So, that in mind, I think the following posted under Kelly's comment from February, but I am not sure, so let me try it this way...

I would have to agree with Kelly's idea and Barry's comments from earlier this year, the travelling Hogs Shakers sounds like fun! Sorry it took so long to check this, I had forgotten it was in my favorites.

So is anyone still coming to Fort Worth the week of July 21? I have that week off. Although I am busy that Tuesday, the rest of the week is wide open. Thought I would ask, just in case plans needed to be made or changed.

Hey, can I get an email notification when the blog is updated? How do I set that up?

OK, well, I need to finish a report and get ready for bed, so I will talk to y'all later!

Love ya'll,
Ellen

2008-02-26T16:32:00.000-08:00

2008-02-26T16:30:00.000-08:00

Where have all the Rowell's gone?

2008-02-26T16:25:00.000-08:00

What happened?!?!?!? I thought this would be a fun way to keep in touch. I thought about sending Barry one of the Arkansas hog salt shakers and seeing if he could take a picture of it in a funny place. Maybe we could take turns with it and see who could put it in the funniest places. Then we could vote in Colorado> Maybe K

Will Vs The Bar

2007-09-06T20:16:00.000-07:00

2007-07-24T17:19:00.000-07:00

Barry,
Glad your show was great! Wish we could see you when you are in Nebraska. Wish you could have been with us in San Antonio. Mom was sick but Sea World was fun. You and Cathy would have loved Shamu!! It wasn't too hot either. Be sure and let us know when in the fall because Will will play football on Thursdays and Bekah has to do service hours for the Symphony, so we will try to save dates for ya'll. Of course if you are like us we change our plans all the time! Hope to see you soon.
Love, Kelly

Falling Down on the Familial Job....

2007-07-07T05:56:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't called any of you lately--the show ended on Saturday and we haven't had 2 minutes to catch our breaths since. So we'll be coming to Texas in the fall and we'll work around your school schedules; not sure what the holiday situation is in October/November (other than Thanksgiving, of course). Brooke's family (though not Brooke himself) is going to be in Joplin the last weekend in July, and since we haven't seen them since 2004 (in England), we felt we ought to go there, too. We're planning to drive up to Omaha for a couple of days on either end of our time (July 25-31), if that works for Heather and Alan and the boys. And I talked to Dad yesterday (to make sure the old homestead wasn't be prepped for an ark--apparently it isn't) and he said that he and Mom may be in Omaha around the same time. I'll call you all soon (this weekend, I hope) to follow up.

As for the performance, we got a lot of great responses from audiences and all of the reviews were extremely positive. Here are a few especially good ones:
http://www.villagevoice.com/theater/0726,feingold,77073,11.html
http://www.nytheatre.com/nytheatre/offs5366.htm
http://showshowdown.blogspot.com/2007/06/off-stage-east-village-fragments.html

Love,
Barry

Test

2007-06-20T19:26:00.000-07:00

This is a test from Cool Breeze

2007-06-18T20:13:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!
I know Barry and Cathy are busy with their production--I am very sorry I called while it was going on--I did not realize. But I was wondering when we were going to see each other this summer. We are trying to decide if Will goes to Mc Allen for mission trip or if we go to San Antonio. We want to do both, but I didn't know how it would work for the next week. Jim has a conference in Dallas the week after that and then the next week Will goes to camp. AAAHHH!
Crazy summer! Any way, if we could put dates on things it might help. Once again I know Barry is very busy. I totally understand. Hope everything is going well.
Love, Kelly

July visit - Jake's B-Day

2007-06-16T15:37:00.000-07:00

Hey, everyone! This was definitely a great idea. When are y'all coming in July, Heather? I might be able to get a day or two off. :)

I hope everyone is doing all right. Everything is going fine here, just finished a week long meeting for work, and am trying to catch up on yard and housework....Well, I guess I had better get a move on! Talk to y'all later!

Ellen

2007-06-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

We are doing 2 children's plays. One is for the Open Door Mission(which is a homeless shelter), for their Thursday chapel service. It is a play written by one of the other leaders in the group, and it includes bible stories like David and Goliath(I play Goliath), Daniel and the Lions Den(I play a lion), and Debra and Barak(not a story I was familiar with). Plus we are doing choreography and it is really just a cute show. Then we are doing a play for the Children's Hospital and it is a mix of The Little Red Hen and Chicken Little. I play the fox-Foxy Loxy. And it is a whole lot of fun!!

As for Jacob's birthday, he would like some Moon Sand(Target had), and in the sports section they had this like Nerf rocket launcher you could shoot off(it maybe had 3 rockets in the package), again at Target. Books are good. He is interested in the Magic Treehouse books. He has quite a number of them, but some also have Non fiction companions, which he also wants. One is called Dinosaurs-the non fiction companion. He has the one on dolpins, but any of the rest would be good. He has some favorite authors, so I will talk with him and make a list. He loves to read!!! I will keep thinking, and let you know more.

Love to all.
Heather

2007-06-14T20:01:00.001-07:00

Heather,
I think it is a great idea to have Jacob's bday in Ft. Worth. What do we need to get
him for his birthday? Any ideas? Of course you will have to tell us different things so we don't all get the same present.
Alan said that you were doing a play. What are you doing? Are you the star? You will have to tell us all about it.
Thanks for blogging on!
Kelly

Great idea

2007-06-14T06:08:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

I think a blog is a great idea!! We would be kept updated much easier than with the phone!
Hope to talk to y'all soon!

Mom and I talked about having a birthday party for Jacob when we are there in July. (Hopefully Barry, you guys can make it.) That way I can have a family party, because he wants to celebrate with his family.
Love,
Heather

2007-06-13T22:06:00.000-07:00

chandlers wedding

2007-06-13T22:03:00.000-07:00

2007-06-13T21:59:00.000-07:00

2007-06-13T21:57:00.000-07:00

From Kelly

2007-06-13T20:57:00.001-07:00

Hey guys! I created a blog for our family. We can write each other and keep each other up
to date on what is going on in our lives. We can even include pictures. Does this sound great?!?!?
I hope ya'll will want to do it!