Hola!

We returned from Puebla! I do believe we had a fantastic time. The weather was wonderful, most of days were about 24 C.(figure out that one) In the evening most everyone desired a jacket. But alas we have returned to the old heat of Kansas! 101F Yipee! Air condition here we come.
It has been a busy week at the library, catching up on email, answering questions, and just having a great time reconnecting with everyone.
More to come!

Off to Puebla Mexico!

We leave in the morning, so I am packing like crazy and the house is upside down. Suitcases are all over, the laundry is being done and trying to decide what to take. Whew! Thought I would take a break and type a few.
I looked on the Internet today and the weather next week in Puebla is supposed to be in the 70's and raining. What!! I wanted to sit by the pool, tan and just veg. Oh well! I am supposed to be studying for the GRE. Guess I will be doing that if it is raining! Bob is happy about the cool weather, so I guess it will be good for him. And I need to remember that this trip is about him and his work and not me. I am just very thankful that I can go along. I did find out that there is Internet on the Executive level at the hotel. Maybe I can dress up like an executive and sneak in and log on. I guess we will see what happens. I would like to let everyone know how it is going. And yes I will remember not to drink the water:)
Well have a good week and keep safe. Ronda

The Roof is On!

Been a busy week at the Holt's this week. I think we have had company everyday. I guess everyone is coming over to look at the new shop, I know it can't be because of our winning personalities!!
We wanted to get the roof on before we leave on a trip we are planning on the 18th-25th to Mexico. Actually this is a working trip for Bob and a vacation for me. I know! Not fair to Bob but hopefully he can get some sight seeing in while he is there. Ok back to my story, once again our friends and family planned to come over this Saturday and help finish the roof. It rained half the morning, but by 10:30 Kyle talked Bob into getting started. ( I think Bob was planning on a nap, but Kyle would have none of that). Good for Kyle! They got done except for 4 sheets and they are coming over early in the morning and finish. Yeah!

Big Shop

Hi There,
Here is the product from the hard work of family and friends, thank you Lord for good friends and family! This weekend we will start the siding. Kyle thought it would be a good idea if we looked for instructions, what a funny guy! Bob and instructions, hmmmm, don't know about that. But I will try to find some today. Last weekend was very nerve wracking when they put up the trusses, Cece and I were standing below worrying and praying, even Riley joined in with "Careful Daddy". One highlight is that Sueburbon saved the day. (pictured above, she is green)The trusses ended up by the road because when they delivered them after a rain the truck couldn't get down the driveway. The guys moved a few of them with the trailor but that meant that they had to lift them on. UGGG! Someone suggested that they just put a chain around them and pull them down to the shop area with one of the trucks. So they tried but they wouldn't budge. Bob said lets try the suburban, sure nuff they attached trusses, Bob drove with tires spinning, Kevin guided the front of them with a scoop shovel, Chad jumped up and down on them to give them weight and Kyle was busting a gut. All in all they now have a fun story to tell. One other thing that happened is that I introduced Cece, Kyle's wife to blogging, she got really excited and started one of her own. Here is the address http://seeaboutcece.blogspot.com/
Well have a good day, Ronda
Big Shop

Now for the little....

A couple of months ago I went to the Big Well in Greensburg Kansas, the memory is still fresh in my mind. But I do not regret my decision to walk down into the “big chasm”. I do believe in balance so now that I have seen something “big” it was time for the “little”.
Last week with my fellow librarians we departed to Independence Community College to listen to a speaker. When the session was over we thought it would be great to go and visit the “Little House on the Prairie”, this is “an official Laura Ingalls Wilder home site”. It is located about 6 miles south of Independence Kansas. As we traveled down the road we saw three vultures, this brought up a conversation about other birds that eat dead things. We decided that they are buzzards. Riveting! I thought we did good, we only made one wrong turn. Nothing like traveling with 7 librarians, at least we were divided up into two cars. I did find out what a “K” turn was. It’s always fun to learn new things. I am just glad I didn’t have to do it, there was a “big” ditch close by and this was a day for “little” things, not “big”.
For years I have always said that when we moved to the farm out by Leon Kansas that I thought it was like the Little House on the Prairie. Boy was I wrong. As we approached the home site, we could all see that this was a “little house”. It looked so cute and compact. As we entered the small home we decided that they were a lot shorter and definitely smaller. The furnishings were sparse, no knickknacks in this house. The surrounding area was prairie grass, mingled with flowers, I was picturing Laura running and skipping through the field with her hair flowing. Maybe I have watched too many Little House shows. The “Sunny Side School” and the “Wayside Post Office” were also at the location. There was also a nice gift shop in the farmhouse next door. Which we had to promptly visit, I wanted to get at least a few post cards to remember this occasion. There were some paintings done by a local artist of the “Little House. I thought that I would like to have one to remind me of not only the Little House on the Prairie but of the days I spent on the farm in Leon. I had one picked out and someone mentioned that the frame didn’t fit the painting so I went back and looked for a different one. I saw one with a smaller frame and the number was 53, wow I was born in 53 it was a sign so I bought that one. Here is the website with lots of info http://www.littlehouseontheprairie.com/

Here is the picture I bought http://www.littlehousestore.com/description.asp?prodID=2009

Ok now that I have seen the “Big Well” and now the “Little House” I am ready for something medium.
Any suggestions?

And the rain begins....

Figures! One of the reasons we bought the house we live in now is because we wanted to eventually build a BIG shop, not a shed, not a garage but a shop. I guess according to my husband Bob there is a difference. So we have planned and thought about it for the last 8 or so years. The last two years we have poured the cement pads each 20 x 60. So this makes this shop a big 40 x 60 and it will have 12 foot walls. This year we finally ordered the materials for the shop and they were delivered on Saturday. Yeah! Now the fun begins. On Sunday we just kind of looked at all the wood and felt a little bit overwhelmed. We scheduled our vacation the week after Memorial Day so we would have lots of time to work on it, even though I am sure it will be a summer long project.

So far every night it has rained, and according to the forecast it will be raining till next week. So I am sure it will be raining during our vacation. So as we sit with our hammers, NEW nail gun, tape measure, saws and radio we wait for the rain to quit.

We will be chanting Rain! Rain! Go away!!

25...then...30!!

At the beginning of the year one of my resolutions was to get rid of my extra stuff around the middle. Ok, I know, let's just call it FAT! So I thought I might try sit-ups, ha ha! In January I tried to do a real sit-up, as my husband, Bob, calls them. Not the crunchy ones. I couldn’t even do one of them. But I thought I am going to work on this. So at first it was maybe just one or two, then five, then up to ten. I thought great I can do this. So yesterday I did 25 real sit-ups, not the wimpy ones. Then today when I got to 25 I thought I am going to do 30 and I DID! Is my stomach flatter, probably not? But that is ok. Next Goal 50! No make it 52 my age. Or am I 53!!

New Bloggers!

Blogging is really great! My boss has been blogging for about a year. She had mentioned that I needed to do a blog. But you know a person gets busy and sidetracked, yada, yada, yada! Well anyway I had went to a session about blogging and the presenter mentioned that her granddaughter's class in Texas had a blog and she always checked on it everyday to see if it had been updated. AT this point I thought what a great idea! Since my grandchildren were all the way across the world in Okinawa this would be a great way to keep in contact. I know there is email, but with blogging you can read and reread everyday. So I contacted my daughter-in-law, Randi, and we started a blog. But she had difficulty adding to our blog. So she has made her own. Which is better anyway. The address is http://ourwildlife.blogspot.com/, I think the title fits.
The second new blogger is my wonderful sister-in-law Debbie who lives in Arkansas. Her address is http://roriefamily.blogspot.com/. Both of them are really funny, maybe even a little bit alike. So check out their blogs, I do believe you will enjoy both of them.

The Big Well!

Last Thursday I went with my friend, Kathy, to visit the town she has moved to since she got married. She now lives in Greensburg, Kansas, home of the world’s largest hand dug well. When we got to the well we went into the gift shop that was located there and purchased our tickets to walk down into the well. I am not sure what I was thinking but as we entered the small building that is over the well, my friend at that point said that it is a rather large hole. I walked in and looked down, my knees immediately became like jello and I broke out into a sweat. I pointed out to her that I am very afraid of heights and I have nightmares about this very situation. The well is 32 feet across and 109 feet deep with 4 flights of stairs. At first I just kept saying no way, but then I took a few deep breaths and said let me think about this. So we left and told the lady in the shop that I chickened out but I was going to think about it for a while and maybe come back. So we walked to downtown Greensburg, entered the Duckwalls, looked around at all of the cute items. I did see a couple of pillows and one of them said “That the Lord will be with you.” I thought good; but in my mind was looming the big hand dug well, not only just big but the largest one in the whole world. As we left the store I noticed that Kathy was once again walking towards the well. I thought Ok I can do this. She started down the well and I followed. I tried not to look down, but just looked straight ahead. There are four flights of stairs to the bottom then there is a wooden platform over the 32 feet of water. We rested at the bottom and talked a bit and then started back up. At one point Kathy asked me if I was winded, I told her I was not sure if I was winded or just simply scared to death!! But I did make it back out and I was glad that I conquered that fear. So if you are ever in Greensburg, Kansas make sure you check out the World’s largest hand dug well. Here is the web site with information about the well. http://www.bigwell.org/bigwell.html
Have a great day!

Taiko Drummer

My oldest granddaughter, Ashton, has started playing a taiko drum. She seemed really excited about playing it. Being the good grandma (and librarian) I thought it would be a good idea to look up some information about taiko drums. I found a really good Taiko drum web site with some great info. I can't wait to hear her play the drum. Go Ashton!

Curly Hair

Our oldest son always had the prettiest curly red hair. I used to always tell him that his hair was so cute and would look good on a little girl. (hope I haven't demented him, sorry Al!) Well he did eventually have children of his own, 6 of them if fact. Now some of them have the ol’ curly hair but much to my dismay none have red hair. Maybe God planned it that way; maybe He thought I might like that one a little bit more. On the phone the other day I was talking to 3rd from the oldest grandchild, Tristyn, who happens to have her father’s curly hair. I guess she was having a nice party and someone started to cut her hair. My guess is that they were probably playing beauty shop. Oh well! Anyway mom had to finish the cut. Now Tristyn has wonderful shorter curly hair. She said she really liked it. One thing about curly hair it will most always bounce back. Well have a good day!

Good day sunshine!

So far it has been a sunny day in Kansas. Someone once told me that people in Kansas always talk about the weather. I have noticed that the topic of weather always comes up in conversations. Now, is this just a Kansas thing or does this happen in other parts of the world?
So far this Monday has been good. I went on a walk out by the lake for about an hour with my friend. We had a good talk and we saw only one snake and lots of butterflies.
Speaking of snakes, the other day I was sitting in my backyard on a swing just thinking, contemplating, praying; just simply having a good time by myself. When I went to leave I got off the swing and took a step and a stick moved. I looked down and there were 3, yes count them, 3 snakes looking at me. I guess they were enjoying the day also. One of them was about 2 1/2 foot long and the other 2 were about a foot long. I do believe they were nice friendly garden snakes. Needless to say I very quietly returned to the house. I know that snakes have a good purpose, such as eat mice, etc. So I suppose I will share my yard with them. They just tend to startle a person! More fun in Kansas!

Jury Duty:)

I received a letter of notification that I would have jury duty for the month of April. OH NO! Not jury duty. This was my first time and I was really apprehensive. I had to call the evening before to find out when to report. I was told that I had to report on the following Tuesday morning. Most of the morning was spent deciding on the final 12. I had a funny feeling I would be picked because I didn't say much. But as an American citizen I was ready to serve. In the afternoon the lawyers called the witnesses and questioned them. As I heard the testimony my mind went back and forth, guilty, not-guilty. I was not looking forward to having to make a decision.
The next day we had to report at 9:00 am. I was ready to listen and try to make a wise decision. More witnesses were called and more testimony. ACCCKKK!! What to do? What to do? During the morning break the bailiff came in and told us there was deliberation going on and we had to just sit and wait. We were called back in the courtroom and the judge notified us that the trial was over because of lack of evidence and we were free to go home. I was a little disappointed that the 12 of us would not sit in a room and decide the verdict. I am glad that I was able to have this experience but I am not too sure that I would like to do it again. The funny part was that during the trial a juror is not allowed to talk about the case. This was hard for me. It was a civil case about hail damage. The funny part is on the Tuesday evening we had a storm and it hailed. I really wanted to blab but I was good and kept my mouth shut. I kept thinking that this is a test and I passed. I am very proud I didn’t talk my lips were sealed. As I reflect on my experience I can honestly say I am happy that I was a part of the judicial system.
Whatever!

Conference and Jury Duty

This has been an eventful week. I had jury duty on Tuesday and Wednesday and went to a 1 day conference on Thursday. The experience of jury duty I will post separately. At the conference there were 4 sessions. One of the sessions was about how blogs are being used in distance education. The presenter made some good points in how blogs were being used in the online class. The instructor has the students locate blogs that deal with mental problems and self help groups. I found it interesting that someone in the audience was very skeptical and didn't think that blogs should be used in an academic setting. They pointed out that possibly the blogger would fabricate, but the presenter said that this could also happen face to face. Touche'

In the beginning....

We started a garden, not the Garden of Eden, but the garden in my Kansas backyard. Over the weekend we planted a few veggies. We wanted some onions, so at the grocery store were a bunch of green onions, bought them. Husband thought we needed more so went to another store and bought some white, yellow and red onions. Ummm... lets see we planted about 360 onions, good breath for the summer! Also in the ground went some radish, carrot, brocoli seeds along with 8 cayenne pepper plants. Hot! Hot! Hot!
Speaking of hot, it was a hot and windy day in Kansas. Now we just need some rain for the ol' garden.
Oh by the way I had rice and fish for supper(not fish heads but frozen salmon). Yummy!

And this too shall pass......

Al is packing & I am thinking of ways to busy myself once he is gone. As usual we will likely spend all of our time with Kim & her kids. I am terribly thankful to have her as she gets me through the tough times. Looking forward to planning some fun things for the summer. Al & I have been discussing a trip back to Thailand. It will be the first time we have gone TOGETHER. Would be nice to experience the good kingdom WITH him! :) With any luck we will head back "Kansas" way in the fall (for a bit). Hoping that Alex will be able to join us. I miss everyone, but honestly, it isn't that much fun without him. I'm outtie. Gonna make my man some enchiladas before he is once again munching on nothin' but fish heads & rice!

Dodge ball and big toys!

Today, we went to the Dodge Ball game in Wichita, there were 2 teams from Pioneer Balloon. The machine shop lost both of the games, but the press room team won the first and then lost the second. The machine shop got out pretty fast, I think they need to practice for next year. Then after that we went to the Big toys for big boys show at Century II. They had a lot of old cars, and cool men stuff!! Also chocolate at the booths, I think this was for the girls! They also had lots of military vehicles there. We saw a big helicopter, can't think of the name, I am sure Dad/Al will know. Ok the question of the day, What is the name of the big helicopter?

Is everyone wearing big rubberbands there in Okinawa? I have a purple one that says READ. I saw some at the store and they are $1.99 each. I thought that was quite a bit for just a big rubberband!

Well post soon,
Love, Ronda/Mom/Grandma:)

First Posting

Hello,
This is the first posting of the Holt family blog. This blog will be a great way to communicate and share memories. Part of my family is in Okinawa and since they have such interesting lives there and of course I have an interesting life here in Kansas, so this should be an interesting blog. Ok probably only interesting to us!! Well I know this is short and sweet but I do not want to bore you too long.
Take care, Ronda