Jan 28, 2009
Jan 27, 2009
Quotes from Jason's newest letter!
"We did a 5 km packmarch today...in the snow. It made the forest into a giant rainmaker with the ice pellets falling through the trees. Then, as we marched through the sunrise, the flakes got bigger and bigger. They finally stopped just after lunch. Ate with snow falling on my plate. :-)"
"Got to go to bed 'early'. Just as everyone was progressing into sleeping bags, we all had to get up and fall into formation. Then change to ACUs in 4 minutes. FAILED CALL. Then into PT uniform in 5 minutes. Tehn back into ACUs. ASAP. LOL. Bed now"
"In a tent that just fits me. 20 degrees low for tomorrow."
"I am too tall (shock, right?) for the sleeping bags, so , of course my shoulder pop out of warmth and I wake up shivering."
Well, these are the funny once in his second letter home. Thought I'd share them for your benefit! As we are having a 'bad weather' day in school I have an unexpected day off. Guess there will have to be a long letter to Jason with maybe some dog pictures included. He doesn't want individual letters now as he has to do pushups for everything he gets...poor child. I am still going to send him two or so a week and Dan just got through sending him 3 postcards :-) Guess no more postcards...maybe.
"Please save me pushups. :) Trust me, I get enough other workouts!"
Jan 25, 2009
So we are making FoxNews.com again :-)
Dry, Windy Conditions Keep Texas Wildfires Burning
Sunday , January 25, 2009
High wind and dry weather Saturday allowed wildfires to continue burning across Texas, where fires have destroyed six houses, killed a man and blackened about 6,200 acres of grassland. Nick Harrison, a spokesman for the Texas Forest Service, said the low humidity and extremely high wind created hazardous conditions in south-central Texas and the Hill Country. "We're critically dry across the state," he said.
Crews worked Saturday to contain a 1,700-acre fire in Jack County, Harrison said. Two buildings were lost in that blaze, which was about 70 percent contained by Saturday evening, he said.
A blaze that charred 1,000 acres in Montague County just south of the Oklahoma-Texas state line was "in cleanup stages" Saturday, a sheriff's department spokeswoman said.
No structures were threatened by that fire on Friday and no evacuations were ordered, said Wendy Davis of the Montague County Sheriff's Department. No injuries were reported.
Two other fires Friday charred more than 3,500 acres of grass in West Texas, burning homes, five hunting cabins, 22 outbuildings and 10 vehicles.
One of them, a 2,500-acre fire that destroyed six homes in Jones County, about 25 miles northwest of Abilene, was no longer active Saturday, Harrison said.
However, firefighters had made little progress containing the second fire, which had covered more than 1,000 acres and destroyed two outbuildings near Albany, Harrison said.
Abilene is about 175 miles west of Dallas, while Albany is about 150 miles west.
In central Texas, a 53-year-old man died Friday in a small grass fire near several homeless camps on the outskirts of Austin. The victim suffered third-degree burns over 90 percent of his body.
Jan 24, 2009
It is freezing out there!
We did have to take the dogs out for a bit this morning, but they sure didn't like being out there in the cold until Dan went out with some food. Then they can sit and wait and be well behaved...Jaeger better then Rhowdie :-)Yes, this card was send to Jason in todays mail :-)
Jan 23, 2009
Wildfire close to Abilene
We are waiting for rain and it's not coming. So we are in fire danger as this video clearly indicates.
A large brush fire continued burning into the night about six miles northeast of Hawley.
Lt. Greg Goettsch, of the Abilene Fire Department, said it is believed seven homes have been destroyed along with numerous other buildings and vehicles.
The fire, which began in Jones County near the southwest end of County Road 335, is estimated to have burned 2,500 to 3,000 acres.
Goettsch said there were no reported injuries. Officials estimated that the fire was about 50 percent contained as of late Thursday night.
Jones County declared a local state of disaster.
Brandon Newton, whose home was near where the fire started, was spared from the flames.
The Nugent Baptist Church youth minister had flames burn within feet of the west side of his home before the fire shifted to the north and went around the home.
“I talked to a couple of church members. A few of them lost cattle in the deal,” said Newton, who also works for UPS and is a carpenter.
Newton said that the fire did not reach the church but that he lost an empty trailer, woodshed and old pickup truck to the blaze. With a few smoldering hot spots on his land, Newton said he would monitor his land through the night.
People in the path of the fire were encouraged to evacuate their property Thursday afternoon.
One rancher said saving cattle was his biggest concern.
“We gathered all the cows off of (the land) and got them gone,” said local rancher David Hatfield. “That was our No. 1 concern. From there on (we were) just trying to move as much as possible.”
The temperature reached a high of 82 degrees as winds of 15 to 20 mph pushed the fire northeast toward FM 600.
The high today is expected to be around 80 degrees with winds of 10 to 15 mph from the west and southwest.
The fire was contained on the west side of FM 600 as firefighters from departments around Abilene battled to contain the fire on its north side. Engines from about 15 departments such as Abilene, Hawley, Hamby, Baird, Eula, Clyde, Stamford and Anson were at the scene along with the Texas Forest Service.
A control station was set up about three miles north of FM 600 and Ranch Road 1082.
Local Department of Public Safety and sheriff’s officers blocked traffic going into the path of the fire.
Goettsch said about 60 emergency response personnel helped in the efforts.
A large brush fire continued burning into the night about six miles northeast of Hawley.
Lt. Greg Goettsch, of the Abilene Fire Department, said it is believed seven homes have been destroyed along with numerous other buildings and vehicles.
The fire, which began in Jones County near the southwest end of County Road 335, is estimated to have burned 2,500 to 3,000 acres.
Goettsch said there were no reported injuries. Officials estimated that the fire was about 50 percent contained as of late Thursday night.
Jones County declared a local state of disaster.
Brandon Newton, whose home was near where the fire started, was spared from the flames.
The Nugent Baptist Church youth minister had flames burn within feet of the west side of his home before the fire shifted to the north and went around the home.
“I talked to a couple of church members. A few of them lost cattle in the deal,” said Newton, who also works for UPS and is a carpenter.
Newton said that the fire did not reach the church but that he lost an empty trailer, woodshed and old pickup truck to the blaze. With a few smoldering hot spots on his land, Newton said he would monitor his land through the night.
People in the path of the fire were encouraged to evacuate their property Thursday afternoon.
One rancher said saving cattle was his biggest concern.
“We gathered all the cows off of (the land) and got them gone,” said local rancher David Hatfield. “That was our No. 1 concern. From there on (we were) just trying to move as much as possible.”
The temperature reached a high of 82 degrees as winds of 15 to 20 mph pushed the fire northeast toward FM 600.
The high today is expected to be around 80 degrees with winds of 10 to 15 mph from the west and southwest.
The fire was contained on the west side of FM 600 as firefighters from departments around Abilene battled to contain the fire on its north side. Engines from about 15 departments such as Abilene, Hawley, Hamby, Baird, Eula, Clyde, Stamford and Anson were at the scene along with the Texas Forest Service.
A control station was set up about three miles north of FM 600 and Ranch Road 1082.
Local Department of Public Safety and sheriff’s officers blocked traffic going into the path of the fire.
Goettsch said about 60 emergency response personnel helped in the efforts.
Jan 22, 2009
Forgot the Wordless Wednesday! Should we call it Forgotten Wednesday?!
We could call it "Make Up Thursday/Wednesday"...let the thoughts pour in!
If you want to know what I did on Inauguration Day you just will have to click on this link as Kristy has explained it so well in her blog, why repeat it here!
Jan 18, 2009
Jan 17, 2009
It must be official...
This is what was in the mail yesterday for me. Today Dan received one also and talking to Tiffany today, she got one too, NO, not parent, but Spouse.
The bumper stickers supporting Bush and McCain must disappear and my U.S. Army stickers must be put on the Suburban.
Will I get in trouble with Dan now that I support the Army?
Pictures for Dan and Jason
Well, Dan wanted a picture for his office and Jason always wants pictures of his dogs. So today their wish was my pleasure to fulfill. Hah...that sounds soooo not me!
Jan 16, 2009
Jan 11, 2009
Becoming a Soldier - Jason's History
His Ur-Opa (Great-Grandfather) Schumann somewhere in Russia (WWII, POW)
His Ur-Opa Jutzi at his wedding (yes, they had to get married in uniform and had to have the bandana on the arm. (Germany does have a draft and during WWII all had to serve)
Hid Dad, finally one in the U.S. Air Force. Served 20 years and retired. Flew C-130's and misses it)
His Cousin Daniel got drafted and served his time in the German Army also (hey, Daniel is younger but didn't go by choice)(2004-2005)
And, now, finally, here is Jason! We are waiting to get a real official looking picture. This one was taken with his cell phone. Jason joined the Texas National Guard and is currently in training at Fort Jackson, S.C.
Yeah, TANG!!!
Jan 6, 2009
Update 2009
So, we slept in on January 1st...or some of us slept in :-) We had lunch and some fun Wii games before we went off to see Marley and Me what a cute movie that was, but so sad, adn you should read the book before you go as it is more detailed. And take your Kleenex...it is a crying/laughing/crying movie. More Wii games that evening.
Friday I took Tiffany and Jason on base to give them a taste of base shopping. We had fun and they did find a few items they were interested in. Food and games and walking the dogs and doing some other running around. Looking at Jason's old house as it was empty and new renters were going to go in.
Saturday Dan and Jason went shooting and Tiffany and I did the girl thing and went for a pedicure...her nails are now silver and mine hot pink! Oh, life is just so much fun! We had Steak Express for lunch and then Jason and Tiffany had to hit the road back to Round Rock.
Sunday Tiffany dropped Jason off in San Antonio and then drove home. Jason left on Monday for his Army training at Fort Jackson South Carolina.
Friday I took Tiffany and Jason on base to give them a taste of base shopping. We had fun and they did find a few items they were interested in. Food and games and walking the dogs and doing some other running around. Looking at Jason's old house as it was empty and new renters were going to go in.
Saturday Dan and Jason went shooting and Tiffany and I did the girl thing and went for a pedicure...her nails are now silver and mine hot pink! Oh, life is just so much fun! We had Steak Express for lunch and then Jason and Tiffany had to hit the road back to Round Rock.
Sunday Tiffany dropped Jason off in San Antonio and then drove home. Jason left on Monday for his Army training at Fort Jackson South Carolina.
And if you would like to see his picture after his first day there...here it is, he just send it tonight!
Jan 1, 2009
Last Day of 2008!
So here is my review of the last day of the year!
- Had Griessbrei for brunch (kids didn't get up till late).
- Played a party game on the Wii
- Went to see Bedtime Stories
- Finished the game on Wii
- In between worked on party foods!
Preparing for the party...all hands on deck!
Dan and Jason...who wins?
First picture of 2009
The Roberts
The Bulls
Dan and I
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