Dallas

Last week I attended the OAKE (Kodaly music conference) in Dallas (March 17 - 20) which was held at the Dallas Sheraton on Olive Street.  I was lucky enough to get a room on the 32nd floor with a great view of the Dallas skyline.

Dallas from the 32nd floor of the Sheraton.

One evening Linda, Liz, Tom, Gabor, Kati & I had supper at Dakota's Steak House.  The weather was so nice that we dined outside on the patio.

Linda

Liz

Tom

Kati

 Jeannette

Just samples . . . not to worry . . .

Gabor

(You can't take him anywhere!)

At the conference, I got to visit with a lot of my Kodaly friends.  Crystal Schlieker is one of my favorites.  She was in the Bellevue East Band a few years back, so she is extra special to us.

Tom & Crystal

One afternoon Gabor, Kati and I visited the JFK Museum, which is housed in the book depository were Lee Harvey Oswald hid when he shot President Kennedy.  That corner where Oswald hid is still preserved behind glass.  The museum in very well organized with photos and an audio tour of the artifacts.  The following photos are of the book depository.

Back side of the book depository.

Notice the square window on the end of the row of arched windows.

That is where Lee Harvey Oswald hid when he shot JFK.

Again, notice the square window on the end of the row of arched windows.

 Behind Gabor and Kati is the street where President Kennedy's motorcade was assaulted.

After we left the JKF Museum we stopped for lunch at a place called Gators.  Kati had fried alligator.  Gabor and I stayed with more traditional fare.

Kati's head on a silver platter.

There were gators everywhere inside the restaurant.

Very generous serving of lemons with Gabor's diet Coke.

Cute bench outside Gator's Restaurant.

You can get a nice scenic tour of downtown Dallas on this free trolley.

There are many beautiful statues outside Bank of America headquarters.

All's well that ends well.

Gabor back home in Massachusetts on Lake Cargamond.

A good time was had by all.

Jeannette

The koi survived!

Our six koi reappeared in the pond this past Monday.  They hibernated all winter under a ledge on the bottom.  We haven't seen them since Monday, but it is a sure sign of spring that they are coming out of hiding.  We also had a goldfish, but there was no sign of him on Monday.  Can you say "Donner Pass?"

Angie took this photo on Monday.

The water in the pond is warm enough to wake up the koi.

Looking forward to more signs of spring.

Jeannette

30 Years Ago

Dave found these photos when he was cleaning his office. I used to keep them in the buffet, but somehow I lost track of them.  I was so happy to have them back again!

 

Our wedding day - Aug. 25, 1979 - Bellevue

Our $17.00 wedding sheet cake from Bakers in Bellevue.

Kristi riding one of the Olson's horses.

Cowgirl Angie.

There are others, but these are my favorites.

Jeannette

Nesting

We had a family gathering at Kristi and Paul's last night to celebrate Krisit's birthday on January 27 and my birthday on February 19.  As we compared notes, I realized that we were all involved "nesting" projects intended to improve our homes.

Dave has been working to organize his workshop in the basement.

 

Dave built a cabinet out of scraps of lumber.  This gem is on wheels so he has these little tubs on one side and then when rotated there are shelves on the other side.  Very cool.

He built these stands on wheels for his drill press and what appears to be a giant microwave oven.  I'm not sure what that is.

Paul is building two bedrooms in his basement.  

Paul has done all the stud work and wiring for these two bedrooms.  He has piles of dry wall and insulation ready to go.  Kristi will get a fabulous new walk-in closet out the deal.

A better overall view of Paul's project.

I have cleared out the little alcove on our main floor.  It's almost ready for paint and new carpeting.

This is a little 8' x 8' area next to the guest bathroom and just to the right of the front door.

And now for the food.

Ribs from Paul's BBQ in Lincoln.

Kristi's cheesy potatoes.

Jeannette's broccoli casserole.

Kristi's corn bread.

Angie's amazing Truffle Brownies.  

The texture was like a very dense chocolate cheesecake.  

Yum!

 

A nice bottle of Beaujolais-Villages.

 

Served in a wine glass from Branson, Missouri.

It seems that nobody wanted to have their picture taken.

Zachary.

Tyler.

Ellie.

Zach and Ty.  Or is it Ty and Zach?

Angie.

All in all, we had a fabulous time.

Jeannette

Who ARE these people?

I've been going through old boxes and cleaning out corners and closets.  Today I came across a packet of old family photos.  I thought I would share a few of my favorites.

 

Believe it or not, this is Dave and Jeannette around 1990 (I think).

Very few of these photos are marked.

Dave's college graduation (1961).

Hamata's (1978).

Back: Howard, Jeannette & Gerald.

Front: Rose & Teenie.

One of our wedding photos - Aug. 25, 1979.

Back: Carol, Joyce, Bill and Sean.

Middle: Dave, Jeannette, Dottie, Dave, Sr.

Front: Michael, Angie, Kristi, Kim, Stephanie & Stefan.

Kristi must have taken this one.

Back:  Jeannette & Dave.

Front:  Angie & Michael.

(Love that green pant suit.)

Angie & a baby llama.

Dave Young Blvd.

Right behind Bellevue East High School.

Dave, Jr & Dave, Sr.

 

Dave, Jr. & Dave, Sr. (many years earlier).

Dottie (Dave's mom) & David (1939). 

Band trip to some competition, probably 1979.

Hanon, Jeannette & Dave.

  

Michael & Kristi (late 1980's or early 1990's)

My absolute favorite.

Precious memories.  We have been blessed.   

Love and prayers for those who have gone before us: Michael, Dave, Sr., Dottie, Teenie and Sean.

Jeannette

Happy Everything!

Some of my Schuyler relatives finally celebrated the holidays yesterday, Sunday Jan. 31.  Becky made this cake to cover everything - Christmas, New Year's, Howard & Mary Ann's 40th anniversary, Becky's birthday, my birthday, Dave's birthday, our anniversary and just any good reason to get together to celebrate.

We got it all covered!

We met at Bernice's apartment in Schuyler.  Dave did not go to Schuyler with me, since he just cannot sit in chair or ride in the car for very long yet.  Angie and Becky came from Omaha.  Ben, Howard, Mary Ann, Mom, Georgia and Alva joined us.  Oh, and Taea, Becky's dog, came along for the ride.

Taea

We exchanged some belated Christmas and anniversary gifts.  I took a few photos.  Here are the ones that turned out the best.

 

Becky's 31st birthday was Jan. 12.

Becky and Brother Ben

Mom

It was a fun day.  The roads were dry, so it was a good chance to make a trip to Schuyler.  Then it snowed again today and the roads got snow covered and icy again.

Timing is everything.

Jeannette