I mentioned last night that I had gotten some roots cut off of the tree stump. Well, here they are in the picture to the right. Yeah, some of them were pretty big and I used that new chain saw to cut them. I hope to have some help today and plan to do some more digging and cutting. I really would like to get this out of the ground so I can fill the hole up so it doesn't look like a bunch of red-necks live here. You can see a couple of rails from the split rail fence between our yard and the Jackson's on the ground. Well, I have taken all of the old fence out because it was broken or falling down anyway. My plan is to put up a new fence in the near future.

Hey Amy, did I mention that we got some snow also. By the time Mom and I got out of bed on Saturday morning, most of it had already melted. The Huachucas got quite a bit from what I understand. I would rather it snow up there than down here anyway. Now, Kirsten, don't get envious of us for being able to see bare ground. We all have to make choices as to where we live. Well, maybe that isn't entirely true, is it Amy? Sometimes the Army tells you where you are going to live for a year or two. Just remember what the scripture said, "This to will pass." Hope you all enjoy a wonderful President's Day. This is the first one I have had off for 13 years.

The Stump Is All That's Left

Several weeks ago, in fact just after Christmas, I got Dusty to help finish cutting down the Palo Verde tree from the front yard. You will remember that a third of the trunk split off and fell into the Jackson's yard. Well, Dusty being the obedient son that he is (his mother saw me cutting down the remainder of the tree and called him to help) came to help me get the other two big limbs cut down and into fireplace size chunks. We were having trouble with the old electric chainsaw, so we hopped into the pickup and off we went to Sears and The Home Depot to find a new saw. Would you believe it, we ended up at my favorite place, Ace Hardware, before we found a new saw. Dusty made short work of those limbs and now all we have is a stump. Oh yeah! Mary Anne stopped by to help gather up the logs and stack them in the wood pile in the back yard. I think she only wanted a ride in the wheel barrow! Well, a couple of weeks ago I started digging around the stump and this is as far as I have gotten. There just is not as much "animo" , that is Spanish for energy, as there used to be about twenty years ago. Actually, I have removed a little bit more dirt, but not much. I do have a number of roots cut and I even put a chain around the stump and hooked it to the pickup, but it would not budge. I decided not to pull to hard and break the chain and have it come flying into the back window of the pick up. I still love my pickup and it has to last me many more years. Maybe tomorrow I will get up enough energy to dig a little bit more.

Valentine's Day 2008

It was a rather uneventful day at the Kovacs home for Valentine's Day 2008. Dad did some last minute shopping to buy some flowers or a plant that would, hopefully, last more than a couple of days. Besides, I have to pay $69.99 for something that is already partially wilted. When Dad got home a little later than usual from work, he was met by the sweet aroma coming from the kitchen. After presenting Mom with the flowers/plants you can see sitting on the piano bench, Dad noticed some chocolate chip cookie dough in a bowl on the counter. Oh boy, cookies! That was not it at all for a few minutes later, what should appear from the oven but ONE BIG heart-shaped COOKIE. After it cooled a bit, Mom was able to decorate it with the three most beautiful words in the English language. "I Love You" . After the long weekend, Yeah there is no school or work tomorrow, Mom will be able to take her flowers to school and let the people who come into her office see

just how much her #1 hubby loves her.

Grandma, Grandpa Santa and Barton Grandkids

Grandma with her newest grandson and I in my cap had just settled down for a long winter's photo session.

First Snowfall

Our new van had a lot of firsts on this trip to Logan, UT and Albuquerque, NM. Sunday morning, 12/23/07 there was a little bit of snow on the car. There were 4 to 5 inches of snow on Monday, but I didn't get a picture. I decided to shovel the snow on Sunday morning at Kirsten and Rob's.

Home Again!!!

Well, about 4:30 this afternoon we pulled into the familiar carport in Sierra Vista. We are happy to be home in one piece. We did enjoy our visits with Kirsten's and Jeremy's families. A quick trip but well worth seeing our two newest grandkids.

What Happened to Grandma's Van

This is what happened to Grandma's van on the way from Logan to Albuquerque. Honest, Grandpa tried to miss all the salty spots, but there were to many and he hit one or two. The roads were pretty clear once we got to Price, UT. The van is parked in front of Jeremy and Clytie's house.