Old Photos

One of the advantages of being at Lyndsey's AND having passed on my old computer to her is that all my older photos (up through 2006) are stored on her computer. This picture is from October 2003, Makayla and her Pappys at Rawhide. I am constantly amazed at how fast these years have gone by. One day the baby face just disapears.

I'm recovering from my long drive yesterday and resting at Lyndsey's with Makayla and Izzy, while Lyndsey runs errands.. I can say resting, because Izzy fell asleep. I'm also enjoying the approximate 25 degree drop in temperature. Glad I remembered my sweater for evenings.

Izzy is like the energy bunny who'll just suddenly tip over. :).. SHE"S TIPPED.

Oh, I found these pictures from August 04, the Day, Lyndsey, Victor & Makayla became Family.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

I'm Practicing Avoidance

I'm headed off to California today.. Aly, my beautiful niece is getting married next month and Sunday there's a wedding shower going on. I CANT MISS THAT. Well actually I'm sitting in front of my computer, AVOIDING getting dishes done, me dressed and packed and out the door. I really have to keep the treasure at the end of today's desert journey in mind and GET OFF THIS CHAIR.

Here's what's waiting for me.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today. 

I've Added a New Site

I've decided to go with it and try to "Take Pictures On a Larger scale".

bettyflockenphotos.blogspot.com

I helped my good friend Julee make up some brochures yesterday and thought..why not try it too Betty. So I did. I've added the link to my page and hope you'll drop by and have a look.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog twice today.

More BackYard Fun

Ricky came over Monday afternoon for a swim and a barbecue. Very relaxed and a lot of fun. More affirmation for me that we'll continue to have barbecues (Paul's passion) throughout the summer months; despite the awful heat and the distance we've moved. Good to know.

He brought his new dog (a chuggle - pug and Chiuawa (sp)) over too. Even taught her to swim. She's quite fearless with both our Collie and Border Collie. Mom had a great time.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

Is it Monsoon yet?!

This Storm appeared far away - Gold Canyon 2004

Just a few minutes later 8/04 somewhat different view from the yard.

I know it's not monsoon yet, despite what the weathermen are saying this year; using dates, not dew points to determine the start of our violent summer storms, they've announced we're in Monsoon. I love the summer storms we have here; as long as I'm not out in it. As long as all my loved ones are safe inside. Violent storms; lightening I'd never imagined before--constant flashes; thunder non stopping and the worst part, the walls of dust that will on occasion proceed the storm, sometimes the wall is part of the storm. Paul and I did not respect the Auto Club Warnings of a monsoon,  when we came to the valley. We do now. We thought we could out run the storm one Wednesday night in August of 2004. We were on our way to So California for Lyndsey's wedding. We very nearly didn't make it. But for the stranger on the road (so surreal in my memory now) with the t-shirt covering his mouth waving his arms we would have

 crashed into an accident already on the road. I warned Paul and he stopped the car. I still remember the poor man in the car who didn't survive that day. We had to keep going and made it over to the side of the road, between our two angels.. Big Rig Trucks, and later followed them on the now empty Interstate 10. My strongest memory of that trip was the fear that Lyndsey's parents would have died on their way to her wedding....That was not ok. We did make it that night but never again traveled I 10 in the afternoon/evening during Monsoon season. I don't think of that late afternoon without offering a silent prayer for that man and his family.  We brought Makayla out to visit that week, while Lyndsey and Victor went on their honeymoon. These pictures are another storm.

Makayla's not liking all that noise

She'll sneak a peak now from Gran's window

Now I warn, re-warn and warn again, my children, friends and other family members that afternoons during Monsoon is NOT when we drive and when they see the black wall coming.. get off the road, turn off their lights.. oh yeah and Say their Hail Marys until the storm moves on.. Mostly they ignore me now.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

The Incredible Hulk

Today was day three of Paul's 3 day weekend. We decided to take Sabby to see the Incredible Hulk. I've got a little 12 year old boy in me I'm afraid, because I loved it. Not as much as the Iron Man. I don't really know these characters because I wasn't a comic book reader as a kid. I did read Brenda Starr, Reporter and Mary Worth in the daily paper.We drove to Westgate, where the Cardinal Stadium is. Real exciting to have our city's team play that close to us.. about 20-30 minutes from here. I love Westgate and the Theater makes me think of what we imagined the future would be back in the 50's and 60's. The heat makes it hard to walk around long but the water fountains are a great way to cool off a six year old. 

Ricky's come over for a barbecue and I've snuck away while Paul cooks chicken on the grill and the rest of them (including Ricky's new puppy) swim for a while.

Have a good evening everyone and thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

Barbecues

Paul had three days off this weekend and we wanted to do something. Then reality swung by to say, NOT enough money, so we decided on a Barbecue yesterday. Kathie and Robb joined us along with Katie & Sabby. Barbecue's aren't all that easy when it's 113-115 outside. We all sat around in the pool which though no longer cool water, is still refreshing. This is necessary so we cool down enough to get the food cooked later. When it's 115, we still eat inside even with the wet bathing suits cooling us down! It was a great day; not a lot of pre-planning - it just came along.

I miss the days when we all lived closer; and these impromptu Barbecues remind me how much fun we can still have. Fourth of July is turning into quite a party. So again, I remind myself what I tell Lyndsey so much; All this may not be how we always thought it it would be; but that doesn't mean it can't still be good.

Have a nice day everyone and thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

To My Out of Town Family; Your Rooms are Ready

Rob, Carla; Lyndsey, Victor; Julee; Scott, Lanette; Sandra, Steven; Peggy, Dennis; Aly, Saul... Hell All of you.

Your rooms are ready.

We have Four Bedrooms and a Sitting Room(my office) in our home. Kind of big for "Empty Nesters" like us,however, even before Ricky and Katie moved to AZ, we needed lots of bedrooms for family gatherings (I'm lucky we still have them - they are weekends now though). It's also possible to get more bedrooms since home prices are not that high in the "oven". I gave up assigning bedrooms a few years ago and told the kids; it was first come first serve. Ricky got his own place 5 weeks ago and I'm finally almost done with the "Guest Room" in it's 5th incarnation since we moved here 2 years ago. First it was Katie & Sabby's room; When they moved back to CA, it became the guest room; They moved back 7 months later,  and I gave them each their own room, moved my office to the sitting room and turned my guest room and bathroom into Paul's "Cowboy Room". Then Ricky moved in and it became his room with Cowboy stuff and Paul's desk in it. NOW, it's Paul's Cowboy Room with a Futon and guest bathroom AND the treadmill Paul bought "ME" a few years ago. My office/the sitting room, also has a Futon. So we're set, pretty much, now for family gatherings.  

I still need to paint it but Paul has opted today for only a barbecue instead of "getting that room painted this morning" as I suggested. In RAN off to the market just a few minutes ago saying something about other errands too.. Oh well.

Oh and I've kept the air mattress for those expanded family gatherings.. Kids - It's still first come first serve!!!

I'm giving thanks today for our A.C. and keeping the rest of the country in my prayers, with the flooding in the midwest and the heat and fires in CA. 

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.  

The Mamiya

In 1973 or 74, my dad brought a super cool camera while he, mom, Kathie & Jim lived in Japan. I remember hearing about his excitement and once my brother Jim mentioned he'd used this camera to take all the pictures for the yearbook at his international school in  Nagoya where they lived. 

Dad used it rarely once they came home to the states in 74. When they died, we found the camera and as neither brother or sister wanted it, I have it. Jim didn't have time to teach me how to use it so despite my many attempts to sit down and figure out the instruction manual and the many lenses and lens covers and even the loading of film; it has all remained a mystery to me. I photographed it yesterday as with money pretty tight right now, I'd like to try selling it on E-Bay. I'm still trying to figure that part out too.

It's probably not worth much now adays with  digital out there. It's a medium format film. I remember, in 1998, purchasing the film but now have forgotten how I put it in... Did I load the camera. If ANYone out there who happens across my page can give me a rough estimate on what I could get for this well preserved beauty? It'd help a lot when I figure out what I'm doing on E-bay. HELP.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today. Have a good weekend.

P.S. My   niece Aly e-mailed telling me she would buy it; Don't sell it! So I'm giving it to her for a wedding present. Part of her family's history. Love you honey.

The Bridge

This is my sister's house. The Bridge has a history. Dad built it in 1964/65 to cover a drainage situation which cut across our driveway and front yard. He was very clever. Many neighbors used our home in their directions, the big red house with the bridge... three doors up on the left.  Now this is the second bridge, built after they returned from Japan. There's more of an asian garden look to it now. When they died, My brother bought the house and after a few years made some changes in the front yard landscaping. He called Kathie and me, asking if we wanted it. I was still in Murrieta then and Kathie and I drove down in her truck, loaded it up (or watched my brother load it?) I stuck the bridge off a side deck in our yard.   Madi & Makayla loved playing on it and I used it, as my dad had for 30 years,   a place to gather the family for pictures. 

When we moved to Gold Canyon, and I mentioned to the landscaper (the deliverer of Rocks) that I wanted to use the bridge in the front... as my father had... he smiled and handed me the rules and regs BOOK. Basically i'd have to kiss some one who had nothing better to do then tell people how to decorate their own property on the BUTT to use the bridge. 

So, Kathie took it and  here it sits in her front yard. I've taken a few family photos at Kathie's but the bridge no longer serves the purpose as a walkway.

And, Because I have a lot to do today and am practicing the art of avoidance, I've created a slide show with just a brief history of the bridge.

I like to think Kathie, that dad would be happy we have such a record of the bridge; but then I realize, he's probably now focusing on other things. I remember the thousands of days, walking over that bridge to the front door; after school,  (Hey remember when you drove that old station wagon into the front brick planter box.) after a date, for nearly 20 years on family visits; Walking to the limousines twice in early 1998. 

Thanks everyone for taking the time to  read my blog and watch this slide show today.

OK... The adding a slide show is a hit and miss so I'll just add the photos. :)

Kathie... I want the bridge back if you ever move! :)

Circa 1964

Mom and my Grandparents, 1964

Family on the Bridge 1966

Me, and my brothers 1965

A very sad day in December 1967

Aly 1980

Lyndsey, Aunt Kathie's Wedding Day 1983

My Four  Thanksgiving 2001 The Bridge had moved to Murrieta

Katie & Sabby, In front of the bridge

Sabby 6/08 on the bridge in it's new home

It's 8:00 here and 105 and I'm whining

View from My Window Sunrise 5:30

It's 8:11 PM here in Buckeye AZ and it got to 112 today. It's still 105.  Once Summer decided to get here this year, it hit with a vengeance. It's not cooling off this week much either. It's dark outside my window now but the heat rushed in when I let the dogs out a few minutes ago. I used to get annoyed by people who talked about where they came from but geez, it use to cool down in CA. I needed a sweater at night for pete's sake! 100 degrees at night is NOT OK.

Then I think about earthquakes, a tornado last month; the Tornadoes in the MidWest; The flooding in WI and Iowa and I guess I can handle the heat.

They've changed the start date of Monsoon this year. It started yesterday (June 15th) instead of the 3rd day of 55% dew point (which usually happens in July). So we're officially in Monsoon :) Technically that means we should be cooling off to 100 or so. NOT.

I'm whining tonight, I know; I get bitchy when it's hot; so Paul and I decided to move to an oven. He apparently decided he hadn't suffered enough our first 25 years together. 

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

What a Horrible Loss

I know it's ridiculous; I know I didn't "Know" him but I felt like I did. I've watched him for years on Meet the Press; and on Election Nights; and through the day on MSNBC. Friday I was shocked to hear that he'd died suddenly.. of What nearly killed me. I think he was a great man and I've been so sad this afternoon.  After Friday, I've avoided my favorite network.. MSNBC. It was hard to watch. Tim Russert was Paul's age; class of 68; Way too young to die so suddenly. It's so  final.

Lyndsey has been laughing at me like I laughed at her when she was "heartbroken" for years when Brandon Lee (the Crow) died. Repeating what I use to say to her all those years ago. I said it was different; it is different. Tim Russert was not an actor. I'm pretty much a political junkie and news junkie and really liked his position that his political background had nothing to do with his position as Moderator on Meet the Press. 

 Meet the Press today, was all about him with long time friends talking in tribute to him. Tom Brokaw and Mike Barnacle (two other favorite newsmen and, I understand, his two best friends) cried when they tried to talk about him. What a loss to his family; what a loss to journalism; what a loss to his friends; what a loss to America. Election Night will never be the same; Sunday Mornings will never be the same. 

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

Dads

To all the Dads I love; Their Children, and Their Childrens' Children

Happy Fathers Day!

Blake Welstead and Mary 1946

Herman Flocken & Family Circa 1955

Blake & Geraldine Welstead, Kathie & Me 1952

Blake & the "Twins" 1955

Paul & Herman Flocken 1968

Blake Enloe Welstead 1972

I miss you every day Dad

Paul & Rob Flocken 1979

Paul & Robbie Flocken June 1979

Paul & Katie Flocken

Paul & Katie Flocken

Robbie, Paul, Lyndsey & Katie Flocken Christmas 1981

Carla, Madi & New Dad Rob Flocken

Conner & Rob Flocken

Happy Fathers Day everyone; Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today

What it's Not

The last few days have been a haze of antibiotics, pain, pain pills, nausea, cat scans and sleeping. Finally yesterday I got a call from my doctor, telling me it was not Diverticulitis. Well. So why the pain? Why the fever? Who knows. I get to go see a gastroenterologist. Lucky me.

Summer is here; really here now in AZ. It's going to be 110 tomorrow, Father's Day. It'll be a good day. Paul's working but he'll be home in the morning so we're having a breakfast for him.

 I hope you all have a good weekend.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

 

Sky Watch Friday

See the rest of those participating in  Sky Watch Friday at Tom's Blog

Arizona Sunrise, Gold Canyon AZ

There's always something :)

I've had more than a few bouts with Diverticulitis over the last 4 years. A few episodes have landed me in the hospital on IV antibiotics and it looks like this one might too. It's been going on since I was in CA and got bad enough yesterday to send me whining to my doctor. I got lucky and he sent me home with Antibiotics and Pain Pills, with instructions to call this morning if I'm not feeling any better. I'm not, so I called and am waiting for him to call me back :( .  I'm hoping he will simply strengthen the antibiotic and see how that works. IV's are no fun. Lots of stress going on in the background this week and this is NOT helping. wah wah wah.  Thanks for "listening"

Meanwhile, have a good day everyone; I'm leaving you with this "uplifting" view of the pier at Oceanside.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

Home Again

As it turns out, I stayed an extra day in California and enjoyed a day out with Lyndsey, Victor, Rob & Carla and 6 little guys. Sabby and I drove home yesterday  and I've spent a good part of today either sleeping or working on all the pictures I took while away. Along with downloading pictures Lyndsey and Carla took. I'm glad to be home but I already miss my California Crowd. I leave half my heart behind whether I leave AZ or CA.I think Sabby was glad to get home yesterday; home to her Mommy, her own room and Gran and Pappys to herself. 

Sophie is getting so big I can hardly hold her.

She's a little smiling girl and struggles SO hard to roll over. Her arm keeps getting in the way, poor little thing :). After her close call, it makes me so happy to see her so healthy and smart.

Rob & Carla went to a Padre Game Saturday night and I'm so lucky... Carla took and sent me pictures of the big event!

Looks like they had a great time. Stayed through overtime and the Padres won.  I'm more of a D-Back fan, but I'm glad they got to watch the home team win.

The beach was spectacular. It was hard keeping Izzy safe though. Lyndsey got these pictures and I especially like the one of me scolding Izzy. I told her she WASN'T listening to Gran and her answer? Closing her eyes and saying "I know".

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

Headed Home

It's early Sunday Morning and I'll be headed home today. Out of the cool 70's/80's into the 102 degree weather of home. Ah what a beach does to the climate of a region.

The beach was beautiful; getting out of the car brought the so familiar scent of saltwater. A smell that overtakes me and takes me back to when I was 5 and our family would drive the 5 miles down to Torrance Beach. It always has the same effect. Although this time, a new sensation was added, FEAR. Fear that Izzabella would run into a crowd and loose herself; fear that Izabella would run too far out into the very dangerous water and get sucked under and out. (Izzy, I learned does not listen AT ALL, when at the Beach) Fear trying to keep track of 3 little ones running in several directions. When Rob and Carla got there, two more children were added, as were two more sets of eyes.

Lyndsey recovered/is recovering from having her teeth pulled yesterday; still sore.

Last night When putting Makayla and Sabby to bed, my mind wandered (as it so often does). As I stood at the door telling them they could talk quietly for a few minutes but then go to sleep. 20 years slipped away, and I was talking to Katie and Lyndsey. They lay there SO like their mommys did 20 plus years ago, it took me a second to realize or come to the present, and comprehend, I was talking to their little girls. It was a moment. A moment I thanked God for. Then said a quiet Hail Mary that my mind could STAY in the present!

Have a good day everyone.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

Busy Days

It's been a busy few days. Wednesday, I spent lying down most of the day. The trip down took a lot out of me I guess. Thursday, We saw Makayla's Show. It was great. I'm trying to download Makayla's speach on her site, but I think that'll wait until I get home. Sufice to say, Makayla made a VERY good Lady Bug.

Friday, we made it down to Oceanside Beach and made it for Sunset. Rob and Carla met us down there. It was a beautiful afternoon/evening.

We even found time to get to Toon Haircuts where Izabella had her first haircut!

Today, Lyndsey had two teeth pulled and with a lot of help from Aunt Carla, I'm watching the kids while she sleeps it off! For Lyndsey's sake, I will NOT post a picture of her post surgery.

Hope you all are having a good weekend.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

A Very Special Niece in Law

My Nephew Scott, is kind of crazy, loud and wonderful at Parties. He's the one I've told NO wedding at my house. The bride and groom would end up in the pool. His wife, Lanette is a Saint. This is an older picture of Lanette because, since I'm at Lyndsey's house, on Lyndsey's computer, I don't have any recent pictures of Lanette. Lanette married Scott, during a time, when there was a divide in our family. A period of years, that all the regret I have in the world can't change, but stays in my heart. I can "hate" the bearer of lies that started so many problems, but it's me who believed them, so there you are.. I digress... I didn't "meet" Lanette until the Summer of 01 when the Flockens gathered in Northern California to say good bye to Marie, Paul's Mother and Scott's Grandmother. That gathering restored forever the bond in our family. From the beginning I just loved Lanette, Was she, mellow? Easy going? Sandra's Big Sister? She sat quietly during those days in June, next to Scott, holding Brianne, their baby only 1 month Older than Makayla. Over the last 7 years I've grown to Love her more and enjoy her more each time I see her.

It's a little crazy here today Lanette, Izzy is running around trying to take Pictures with my camera, Sabby is yelling at Izzy, Lyndsey is yelling at both of them. Ok Izzy just smacked me with the mop.. SO SO SO I can't concentrate on all the things I love about you. Jimmy calls you the best part of Scott. I think he may be right.

I love you, you are so special, so funny, so beautiful, so awesome!

Happy Birthday Lanette!!!! Thanks for being my niece.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog today.

History is made

Being a California Native, I never much liked the fact that June was usually cloudy for part or all of the day. Today, I'm liking it! After reaching Palm Springs on the 10, the temps started dropping and before Moreno Valley, and the 60 interchange, it was down to the low 60's. Spoiled by Weather!

Everyone is doing fine in CA. I've been down most of the day with dizziness and fatigue.. Go Figure. So my first day in CA has been quiet. Lyndsey decided most of Makayla's costume is Glue Gun, so the Sewing Machine remains in the car.

Regardless of which political party one belongs to, last night was a historic night for America. I'm glad my kids (most of them Republican) didn't see it as a big deal like I did. He AND Hillary were a bit too liberal for one of them. One of my dauthers (I won't out her here) votes for WHOMEVER her dad says to....... Sabby picked Obama because he has a "little kid like her". I liked that too. In my childhood, I saw protests in Torrance CA, (my home town) because Blacks weren't allowed to live there. I watched Martin Luther King's speech that day in 63 and thought wow. A Much Beloved Niece is bi-Racial (she supports McCain by the way) and I worried all of her young life that she would be hurt or denied rights I took for granted. I remember the 70's when the "White Partner" would look for the apartment first so the no-vacancy sign wouldn't go up immediately. I'm glad Barack is the Nominee of his party, finally giving credance to a song I heard sung a billion years ago.. "Every little boy can grow up to be president"... Yeah, we may need to change the words to that song.. like Every little Kid can grow up to be President. This election is proving both. Regardless of who we may plan to vote for in November, I feel this is a great day in America.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

Off to California, AGAIN

Makayla is going to be in a school play Thursday night. She's a lady bug. Lyndsey hasn't made the costume yet. She doesn't have a sewing machine! So I'm off to CA this morning. That is, Once I do a couple of loads of laundry and pick up a little around here. 

I'm going to do some practicing with pictures too while I'm there. Hopefully at the Beach with the kids.  

Hope you all have a great week/weekend. 

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

"Housework"

So May is over now, it's June. I do several things, almost obsessively, with Photos taken each month. All photos are categorized by the year and month on my Hard Drive and in a back up drive AND on a DVR.. And I print out most photos every month for photo albums for my family to enjoy.

28 years ago I lost a roll of film with pictures of my Grandmother, Mom, Me & Katie all together. Years later, my sister took a roll of film at Ricky's first communion and the roll disappeared. Since, in the years before digital, I probably took hundreds of rolls of film and only clearly remember the two that were lost, I've decided I'm pretty compulsive about photos. A couple of other mishaps with memory discs and lost files on my computer have added to my compulsion to ensure that no photo taken is lost! EVERY Photo must COUNT. My Canon SLR was a Christmas gift in Christmas 2006 and by March 2008, I'd taken over 10,000 pictures. I forget many things, my way home, my neighbor's faces, to use a step when getting into the Kiddy Pool, but I do not forget to do my daily, weekly & monthly back up of photos I've taken of my family, friends, and favorite places.
I probably need a prescription or some kind of compulsion pill.
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.