SNOW!

Hey everyone,

Well I left Elena's last night at about 10 till 11, and headed north. This morning found me in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Right now I'm sitting in my new home (until 24 March); It's a balmy 32 degrees outside, snow falling (of course it's not cold enough to stick) and I'm having culture (climate?) shock.

In any event, I wanted to share my new address, seeing as how I will actually be here long enough to make the effort worth while.

2LT Me
4103 Sturgis Heights, Rm 109
Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473-8840

I'm going to add a few pictures of my new room, mostly because it is like a palace (or at least a decent room at Motel 6) but it's all mine, no sharing, and I have my own fully (as in 2 pots, some pyrex, and 2 place settings) stocked kitchenette! I'm actually not sure what to do with all the space :-)

Love you all, I'll be trying to post regularly-ish
-Earl

Ok, upon further examination: I have no IDEA if the pictures uploaded, double uploaded, or flipped me the bird, because the ETHERNET internet here is slower than dial-up. Well, we'll see I suppose.

I know what YOU were doing...

... 20 years ago today.

Momma was weepy, Daddy was sleepy

Jacq & Joe were so small.

BUT..

In spite of Dad acting goofy, and Jacqueline's lost toofy...

We all wound up having a ball!!

** just think, 20 yrs ago...

** The whole family still lived in Colorado, and now everyone's spread across the country

**Dad and Mom were younger than Roger and I are now - now they're GRANDPARENTS

** Joe was 3 - now he's headed for the ARMY

** Jacqu was 5 and missing a tooth - now she's a teacher and engaged

** Suze & 'rah were in their teens - now they're Mom's and Wives and have lived in Florida,

California, and Pennsylvania

** We've lived in California, New Jersey, Tennessee and Alabama

** We've got 3 nephews and 2 neices

And talk about looking young...

Check out MY guy!!!

So much has happened in 20 short years, and yet, somehow it doesn't seem possible that we've been so many places and done so many things. I'm so grateful for this life I've been Blessed to live. And I'm not only grateful for my wonderful husband but also for my wonderful family who has been there through it all!!

Hear ye, Hear ye, and Hark!!!

In the days of summer in the year of 2008, a cry went out across the land for the Semadeni Siblings to gather.

… and it came to pass in the month of August that 3 of the 5 Semadeni Siblings who were of age came together in the land of Florida.

Much laughter, feasting, and carousing ensued, both on the land and in the sea. The time soon drew nigh that the Siblings gathered together in the chambers of the host to discuss many matters concerning the family. After much dishing/discussing, it was brought to light that a great fear was in each of them. And that fear was called “buying Christmas gifts for Husbands”. And the fear was growing, in so much as the chances were becoming probable that one family might be in the position at some time to have to buy gifts for 2 other husbands. And the fear was strong.

…and so, after much more talking and after hearing the cries and pleas of the other Siblings, the Eldest, who wore upon her fingers the sign of authority which was pink nails gilded with hot pink tips and polka dots, decided that in the years to come, the drawing of names would only include the Semadeni Siblings. Of course because none wanted the husbands to be entirely excluded, here after, it would be allowed that the gift could be considered as a Semadeni Sibling family gift if the gift-er so chose.

… and thus, the fear was overcome and happiness returned to the land. And much laughter, feasting and carousing ensued.

The decree went out that the 2008 gifting would be as follows:

Elena will “be-getting” something for Sarah
Susie will “be-getting” something for Elena
Sarah will “be-getting” something for Jacqu
Jacqu will “be-getting” something for Joe
Joe will “be-getting” something for Susie

So let it be written,
So let it be done!!!

(that is of course, if it's ok with everyone else?!!)