California

 I think most people who know me, know that I love New England.  We have lived in California, Utah, Texas, (twice!), Illinois, Kansas, and now Connecticut.  New England is where I feel the most at home.  But, in my heart, I am a Californian.  I am a fourth generation Californian.  My mother and father are there, my in-laws, my extended family.  I feel a kinship to it.

My children do as well.  It is their constant, their second home.  We moved a lot as they grew - obviously - but they always had "Grammie and Gramps' house", where all four girls shared one room.  Bunk beds were de rigueur, and before that, cribs.  I think it is where they are happiest - but who's NOT happiest on vacation?  It's where KK went to college, and Tess is considering..

  Christmas will be different this year, only three girls in the room - Maggie and Rob will have the downstairs bedroom.  And the year after that, it will be just two in "the room."

That is why Maggie has organized KK's bachelourette party in Ojai.  It's a beautiful little town, and I don't think I appreciated it when I grew up there--  isn't that ALWAYS the way??

Please enjoy the pictures, taken by my own, Maggie K Stauble.  :-)

The first four pictures are of Ojai's adorable downtown.  These shots were taken at Christmas - no wonder everyone loves California in the winter…look at those blue skies!  The fifth picture was taken on a family hike in Ojai in the Los Pades National Forest.  You can do it all in a day in California.

The last photo is of the beach in Santa Barbara, another family favorite.  Next time, all the details of KK's last hurrah… Pictures included!

http://my.bookbaby.com/book/simply-the-best

"Meet KK's Groom!"

 I have known Tyler for almost ten years.  I thought I knew all about him… but apparently not…I just found out he's an Eagle Scout!  He's not one to brag…but when I found out he was part of this elite few, I had to do it for him.

I remember going to the celebration for one of my friend's Eagle Scout Investiture when I was in high school.  Even then, I know what a big deal it was.  Today, I recognize the hard work, dedication, and tenacity that goes into it. I'm so proud of my future son-in-law!

According to Wikipedia:

"A total of 2,209,000 Scouts had earned Eagle Scout by the end of 2012;^[11] out of 83,486,083 Scouts since 1911; this was just over two percent of the Boy Scouting membership.^[12] In 2012, 57,976 Eagle Scout awards were presented, about 7 percent of the 2012 membership. Four Nobel Prize laureates are known to be Eagle Scouts: Dudley R. Herschbach, Peter Agre, Robert Coleman Richardson, andFrederick Reines. 

Eagle Scout may be earned by a Boy Scout or (since 1984) Varsity Scout who has been a Life Scout for at least six months, earns a minimum of 21 merit badges, demonstrates Scout Spirit, and demonstrates leadership in the troop, team, crew or ship. He must plan, develop, and lead a service project — the Eagle Project —that demonstrates both leadership and a commitment to duty. He must then take part in a Scoutmaster conference. After all requirements are met, he must complete an Eagle Scout board of review. He can complete the board of review after his 18th birthday as long as all other requirements are completed before his 18th birthday."

Tyler's Eagle Scout project was to create a new ID system for the Glastonbury police, fire, and volunteer departments.  His project required over 100 hours of community service.

I love these pictures of him.  But I have so say, my favorite one is to the right.  Among his other wonderful attributes, he's a fantastic brother to his younger sister and brother.  Just look at Tyler's  pride as he holds his baby sister, and her joy at being with him.  Someday…you'll be a great dad, Tyler!

http://my.bookbaby.com/book/simply-the-best

KK and Tyler's Reception

I know, I know, I promised to tell you about my future son-in-law and his Eagle Scout experience... and I really can't wait to - even as a kid, I was impressed with any young man who could achieve this loftily goal.  Now I'm going to have one in my family!  But I am waiting on some pictures.  I want to give you the whole package :-)

So today, I'll unveil KK and Tyler's wedding reception site.  They will be holding their wedding reception at the Pavilion on Crystal Lake in Middletown, CT.  It is absolutely perfect for them.  They wanted a outdoorsy, rustic feeling and this delivers.  Look at the lovely building, it almost looks like a log cabin.  And…it's on a lake with a tiny beach.  If you check out KK's wedding website, you can see how a lake ties into Tyler's proposal… I'm very excited, and will keep you posted on the menu, flower and entertainment.  Keep checking in !

Photo credits: ctweddinggoup.com

http://my.bookbaby.com/book/simply-the-best

"Final Installment of the 'Camping Trip' "

As you recall… the car coming toward us was fishtailing first in our lane, then in his own, and back again to ours.

"What are you going to do?" I asked Kenny.  My voice filled with panic.

"Just hang on."  His knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel.  He braked as much as the wet road would allow.  Then the out- of -control car was in our lane again, and we collided.  Kenny's airbag deployed.  This was 18 years ago… I had no air bag.

I've had never, nor have been since, in a car where an air bag went off.  The car filled with a powdery substance and I thought the car was going to blow.  I quickly got the little girls out on the 'cliff' side, and ran to get Kenny out as the air bag had not yet deflated, and he couldn't open his car door.

As I was getting him out, the driver of the other car approached us and asked if we were ok.  I said, "No."  I wasn't sure about my husband.  His arms were burned from the air bag exhaust, and I think the explosion of the bag knocked him out for a few moments.

The other driver said he was "going to get help."  I said, "We have a cell phone, don't go!"

He replied, "I need to get help." And he RAN!  Kenny got out of the car and dialed 911 on our cell phone, which measured 8" x 3" by 3 inches deep!  And we were PROUD of it!  :-)

The other car's passenger approached and said that the driver would be 'right back.'  HA!  He never returned.  The police appeared, and told my wise husband it was a good thing we collided in OUR lane, because if Kenny had tried to avoid him, but somehow hit the car in HIS lane, Kenny'd be at fault.  Makes sense, I guess.

Kenny waited for the tow truck, (our car was totaled), while the kindly officer took the girls and me back to our campsite.  Kenny came back four hours later, (as the sun was coming up), his burns dressed and with a rental car.

We were the talk of the campsite, but as a matter of interest, the people in the campsite next to us, 8 feet away, (I TOLD you we were in tight quarters!), WERE hit by lightning!

And FYI, the drier left the scene as he had been drinking.  Leaving the scene of an accident in Wisconsin, at that time, was a $ 200.00 ticket; but if he tested over the legal limit…DUI.

Tomorrow, I'll tell you about my future son-in-law, the EAGLE SCOUT!, and unveil KK and Tyler's reception venue!!
http://my.bookbaby.com/book/simply-the-best


 

"The Camping Trip - Part II"

Hummm…where did we last leave off???  Oh, yes…we were snug in our sleeping bags in our tent in Door County, Wisconsin.  And then the skies opened up.  It was deafening.  It was not a gentle pitter pat on the tent roof, but a torrential rainfall.  The girls, of course, slept through it.  It was ok at first, kind of exciting.  Then we began to float in the river our campsite was becoming.  To make matters worse, a thunder and lightning storm began along with the rain.  You know the old saying, "For every second between the lightning and the thunder, the strike is one mile away?  There was no lag time between the flash and the boom.

Yes, we were lying in water in a tent surrounded with metal poles in the middle of a lightning storm.  Not the safest place we've taken our children.

"I really think we should leave, Kenny," I told my patient husband.

"And go where?" he asked.

"A hotel," was my genius reply. So we grabbed the kids, and got even more soaked making our way to the car which was only feet away.

Guess what?!? EVERYONE else in our situation decided to get a hotel room too, but apparently they had started earlier.  "No Vacancy" signs everywhere.  And the roads…treacherous.  We had just about made up our minds to go back to the campsite, sit in the car and wait it out, when an out of control car came careening around the bend IN OUR LANE… There was a cliff to the right, and oncoming cars in the lane next to us…  Check back tomorrow, and I PROMISE I'll end the story.  Because, it's time to hear about KK and Tyler's reception venue site!

http://my.bookbaby.com/book/simply-the-best

"The Journey Begins…KK and Tyler…"

I guess I should not have been surprised that KK and Tyler wanted a more "rustic" nature -type feeling to their wedding.  They love to hike, fish, camp, and well, just enjoy the outdoors.  I LOVE the venue they chose.  More about that tomorrow…

I think KK's love for camping began when she was just a little girl. Her father, Kenny, used to take KK and Maggie camping with Indian Princesses in the Chicago Area.  I cringe when I hear the stories of how they cavorted with no female supervision for long weekends with other "Chippewa Tribe" members…

Today's tale involves our family when we were just four…(we are seven, soon to be eight!)

The Year was 1995.  Maggie was 4, KK 7.  We lived in the Chicago area.  I DESPERATELY wanted to go "Tent Camping" in Door County, Wisconsin.  Why you ask?  I really don't know.  I had heard it was beautiful, it was the thing to do.  And I had my own good memories of camping with MY parents when I was little.  I wanted to share that with our girls.  So, months in advance, I made a tent camping site reservation.  I did not look at a 4 month extended forecast…. Yep, you can see where this is going…

It WAS beautiful.  The air was heavy, though.  I had not lived long enough in the midwest to have a clue…yet.

We went to a mom and pop grocery, loaded up our ice chest with steak, salad, french bread, a bottle of cheap red wine, smores makings for the girls, and breakfast supplies.  I was so excited.  We had a great evening, one of the best.  The bugs weren't too plentiful, the weather not too hot, the tent was raised without too much fuss…

We went to bed cozy and happy.  Then…the skies opened up.

Check back tomorrow, to see how the Karnes fared with a lightning strike, a drunk driver and a ride in a police car…  :-)

 http://my.bookbaby.com/book/simply-the-best

My Last "Maggie and Rob" Wedding Post...

My last blog about Maggie and Rob's wedding…  :-(  Today, I have posted random pictures that PROBABLY have not been shown before.

#1-  KK, Maid of Honor
#2 - Kenny and Maggie at rehearsal
#3 - The Dinner Table centerpiece
#4-  Bob and Kenny - fathers of the groom and bride
#5 - Julia and Tess - Sisters of the Bride
#6 - Maggie and Rob

#7- BOB WITH HIS SISTER, THE TALENTED PATTY CLOHERTY, THE GENEROUS PHOTOGRAPHER OF MY BLOG!!!  Thanks again, Patty

#8- Kenny and Maggie at Rehearsal
#9- Maggie with Stauble cousins
#10 Stauble Cousins

Thank you all for enjoying Maggie's wedding journey with me.  I loved sharing it.  Please keep reading as I venture out for KK's!

I have some new material surfacing on my "HELLO! Magazine" blog as well. http://weddinghub.hellomagazine.com/motherofthebride/2014/09/wedding-dress-trains/  I am "Mother of the Bride."

http://my.bookbaby.com/book/simply-the-best    My new e-book mystery!