Old Glory, how long will we have her?

I was thinking how this courageous flag has fought for my rights. Throughout its history, our flag has been engaged in battles to keep us free from the very censorship that is threatening us now. Understanding that this nation holds out a welcoming hand to all does not translate eradicating "In God We Trust" from our coins or in our pledge, "One Nation under God", our allegiance to this flag. Why are we so fearful to step on some adversarial toes who wish to down trod the virtues of our American flag?

One of our rights is the freedom of speech. Albeit verbal complaints are allowed,as it should be allowed, but this "allowance" should not dictate changing our basic American principles for these few dissidents! The foundation to our Christian nation has begun crumbling. Are we not aware?

Consider the Americans who currently live in China, do they demand Buddha statues to be removed from their presence? In Saudi Arabia, a cousin of mine who lived there for a few years, was restricted driving a car, and she was expected to follow Saudi Arabia's dress code. She did not raise her hand to challenge its culture. But look at us! What has happened? Is our nation becoming a wuss?

We are not a barbaric nation because America's governing guidelines and our principles were based on the ten commandments. The Ten Commandments should have its rightful place in our courts anywhere. What our founding fathers have created, let us not alter, for it is that creation that has made this nation grand. If we stand firm, no "Hitler to be" can harm us. No confusion of what we are can erupt or corrupt us. To all and to one, do not mess with this nation's foundation. We are a Christian nation first and foremost. For the sake of our children's children, for all creeds and all nationalities to prosper in this beloved country, our respect, our loyalty, to old Glory's heritage will keep her flying forever until the end of time.

The Sequel from sinking the fishingboat to the next project: DAD DOO II, our ski boat :-)

I love our family. We can never, ever make life simple. There is nothing out there that I can recall that we were able to perform a simple transaction or function in our daily activities.


But we try.

I'll give you an example: Memorial Day Week-end, May 2009

Goal: To take the boat to the water and go boating.....a simple transaction...


It started well. Thursday, Ruedi and I removed our crusty, algae ridden boat out of storage to the car wash. After three hours of labor,we restored our 1996 Chris Craft back to her old glory days. In other words, we got the algae off. With permission from Ed and Joan, we parked Dad Doo II on the vacant lot next to our neighbors' home. We removed the plug for all the water to drain from the car wash.


Friday, Ruedi drove on a one day bus trip, and Diana, my sister, drove up from Memphis. Robin was at a state Special Olympics event in Searcy, AR. So far, simple transactions... then...


Saturday was delivery day, the day we headed out to the lake with our sparkling boat. The sun was out; the day was good. We drove down to George's Cove to launch the boat, a very short distance from our home. Ruedi backed the boat trailer into the water. I, the first mate, was already on board, and our second mate, Diana, climbed into the boat from the water while Ruedi parked Daisy Mae and the trailer.


A somewhat submerged dock was at George's Cove. Ruedi, not wanting to go into the cold water with tennis shoes and keys, managed to get on this dock for his pick up.

He forgot. First mate has never driven a boat to park at a dock. Second mate knows less than the first mate. I was ready to give it a try. I was anxious anyway. Dad Doo was acting sluggish and was sitting down into the water. We needed our captain.


I putt putt over to the semi submerged dock and right pass the Captain. He told me to go around and try again, and being a good first mate, I said, "YES, SIR", and gunned the boat for a second try. I killed the boat. It's beginning to sit even lower in the water, and the engine wouldn't turned over. I yelled to the Captain to swim over, but I was a fairly good distance away, and he said no. The second mate was waving to another boat in the lake for 911 assistance. Meanwhile I'm pushing buttons and inadvertently turned on the bilger pump that drains the water out of the engine compartment. Just as the good Samaritan rescue boat came closer, I was able to restart Dad Doo, and we waved to them good-bye. (This was after they got off their tubes where they were sunbathing, climbed into their boat, hauled up their tubes, secured their tubes, to start their boat, to come rescue us.)

Back to the Captain at a putt putt best speed, close enough that Ruedi could perform a Navy Seal maneuver to land inside the boat. (Don't let a real Navy Seal read this.) We had our captain!


Ah, the captain is remembering Dad Doo unexpectedly acting strangely the previous summer when he, Andrew, his son-in-law, and Bret, his future son-in-law, had gone evening fishing. It had taken them hours to return to the dock. Yep, Ruedi's memory flooded back.

Putting close to shore so that the captain with the tennis shoes could vacate his ship, the first mate and second mate, both in water, helped reload Dad Doo onto the trailer. The day and the evening passed on Memorial Day Saturday without our boating. Ah, But, Hey, there was SUNDAY!

Ruedi repaired the problem. An unattached hose to the engine was reattached. Tomorrow, Sunday, would be smooth sailing. We're ready to go! Because there was so much water in the engine compartment, Ruedi removed the plug placing it on the trailer. We waited for Sunday.


Sunday arrived and with its arrival came the rain. It rained and rained and rained. 4:00 PM the rain stopped and out the door we ran. Dad Doo, Dad Doo we're coming! Robin had returned from the state special Olympics, and she was with us to celebrate the first boating of the season.


Looking at the weather it showed signs the rain would be returning; we determined to make use of its temporary halt. Robin, Diana and I in the boat and Ruedi pushing Daisy Mae down to George's Cove fast and furiously. What could go wrong with this simple transaction?


THE PLUG sitting on the trailer bouncing where ever AND no where to be found....The day and evening passed on Memorial Day Sunday without our boating. Monday arrived. Ruedi left for his 6 day trip; Diana returned to Memphis. Robin is at her apartment, and I'm sitting at the computer pondering about that plug. It's a simple piece of equipment that keeps the boat afloat, but, you see, it belongs to a boat owned by the Imholzes. Enough said.

Next year on Memorial Day Week-end....BOATING for sure........or is that a maybe? :-)

It's God's rain; today is the day to remember the bravery and the sacrifice of our soldiers and the first mate's courage on Dad Doo II.

A Rainy Day @ Mountain Home, AR

A damaged branch hanging from a tree due to an earlier ice storm came crashing down on our steep, narrow driveway. Our neighbors on top of the hill, who know and see all, gave us a call. Since Ruedi leaves tomorrow morning in the wee morning hours, we were grateful our neighbors gave us a holler. We enjoyed seeing a beautiful rainbow later. It reminds us of God's promise.

The beautiful engagement ring and whom it belongs to

Whose ring???

Elegant

Exquisite

That ring belongs to my baby daughter, Annaliese Mae Imholz.
Bret proposed to Annaliese on December 20, 2008. We knew Bret was going to ask Annaliese since July, 2008. I had to keep my mouth zipped. Do you know that was a challenge?
Obviously, Bret has superb taste.

And, obviously, so does Annaliese. We LOVE Bret; he has horses. :-)
They plan to marry September 19, 2009, in Florida. That doesn't give me much time to diet. BUT the focus won't be on me. And when I get emotional, anxious, happy, I'll be by the wedding cake.... just in case.

The ICE STORM January 27, 2009

So many times before I have heard bad weather is coming in from Oklahoma. It would turn out to be spit. I believed we were going to get some winter weather, so I was thinking spit and a half. I dutifully went to the grocery store, as did the 11,000 citizens of Mountain Home, AR.

Robin is staying with us temporarily until she moves into her apartment February 12. Ruedi is on a bus assignment down in Florida for a few weeks.

As the weather approached, I felt confident that Robin and I would stay comfortable in our Swiss Hideaway. Our driveway is steep and narrow and tends to become quite icy, so we parked Daisy Mae, our suburban, up on top of the driveway.

The ice storm arrived. Limbs broke off in abundance from the weight of the ice. We could hear the snapping of the trees. I had just finished cooking lunch when our power went out. Here's my mistake. The neighbors knew to fill their tubs with water in case there was an outage. I didn't. Everyone here has well water with electrical pumps. Although I had bought drinking water for Robin and me, it did not occur to me that there would be no water in the toilets, no water in the faucets, no water in the showers, no water.

That night Robin and I stayed nice and warm under many blankets in our respective beds. When we awoke in the morning. we could see our breaths, as we talked. The night before Robin and I enjoyed playing cards by candle light. Admittedly, it was not as much fun the next day. No way to cook the food I had bought, our food source was peanut butter and bread. My family all knows I am for adventure. I said to Robin let's go to our refugee camp: my sister's comfortable, warm, home with great tasting Memphis water and restaurants.

Walking up the driveway wasn't too bad; the snow was on top on the ice allowed us to walk up. Daisy Mae was a different matter. She had about one half inch of solid ice on her. It took neighbors with knives to cut through the ice on the door handles and another 45 minutes to melt enough ice to see out. The road was a toboggan run, sheer ice. I put Daisy Mae into gear. Earlier, neighbors of ours, attempting to escape, had driven up a rather steep hill only to slide back down into a ditch.

I told Robin to hang on; with accelerator pressed down, we gave it the old heave, hove.

Daisy Mae isn't Knight Rider, but she charged up the hill gallantly; we were up and over.

It took nine days for the power to be restored. Meanwhile, at the Refugee Camp, Diana and Robin and I struggled which movies we were going to see, which restaurant we were to pick for that evening. And the toilets worked, and the showers worked. What a great adventure...!

THE CHOICE!

In December 2008, my pastor, Sam Bailey, gave his congregation a quote. As if this quote were a riveter that had repositioned my very bones, I saw plainly the answer to a aged old common question, "Why did God allow this to happen? "Right in my face was the answer: It was our choice.

What I wrote is reposted on February 16, 2010. The title is "Homeward Bound for Heaven...It's your Choice."

Below is the quote that caused my bones to be refastened. Pastor Bailey had told us who the author was, but I don't have the author's name.

"When man opted to disobey God,

he opted to live in an environment

that would yield death dealing circumstances."

********

When you have read what I wrote, your finger won't be pointing at God. Your hands will be clasped in prayer. How much does God love you? Read and find out. :-) Then contact a preacher, someone like Pastor Sam, (Twin Lakes Baptist Church at Mountain Home, Arkansas). He gets a real joy trying to fill up Heaven.

Opa and the Little Muchins

Opa met Beau; it was a match made in heaven. We think all God's angels are at the Littleton house!

Gibson, the oldest angel, is multi-tasked. Can you tell?

Although we had to leave the morning October 31st for Arkansas, we got to see the grandchildren's costumes. :-)

Okay, when they're not angels, they're Power Ranger, Ariel, a Pirate and a tiny little pumpkin.

Beau Ryder Littleton and "Grandpa"

The day was sweet and sad. It was a day of new life and the passing of another. Everyone in the Littleton family and the Imholz family were thrilled about the impending arrival of Beau. As the due date came and went, all waited patiently.

Andrew's grandfather who all called "Grandpa" was a Godly man, a devoted husband and Dad. He and "Grandma" watched their great grandchildren every Tuesday. The last time I saw Grandpa was at Gibson's soccer game. I was so sick I waved at him from afar while I cough through out the whole game. I have always held him in such high esteem.

The morning of the 3rd of October, he was rushed to the Mercy Hospital by ambulance where he passed away. As the Littleton family embraced each other that morning, Haley felt pains which she attributed to the grieving that morning. Just the same, after lunch, she and Andrew returned to Mercy Hospital. Not only was Haley checked out, she was checked in being informed the baby cometh. I think she barely had time to ask about her epidermal. The answer was NO TIME!

A picture of Grandpa with Elam, now the "3rd child" of Haley and Andrew.

Bill Joe Littleton must be smiling so big in Heaven! Grandpa has passed on a wonderful legacy.

Grandpa's great grandchildren!

The Littleton Family and newest member, Beau Ryder Littleton

Haley and Andrew welcomed a brand new member to their family. His name is Beau. He was born October 3, weighing in at 8 lbs. 10 oz with a height of 20". He was born at 1:30 PM.

We do not know why Haley and Andrew plan to replenish the earth with little people, but their little people are quite cute.

Cute, cute, cute! They can thank Oma for that. :-)

Okay, a few more people might have had a hand in the cuteness factor.

Here We Go.....Again

If you take a quick look at my blog that is titled Happy Halloween 2007, you'll read about how Haley's maternity clothes were, sadly, gathering dust at our home.

(Time and time and time again those clothes had been put to use.)

Then Robin and I came up with a brilliant suggestion of letting our "family friend" (whom we take out of the box every Halloween) wear Haley's maternity clothes. Our "family friend" looked radiant. (Check out the "family friend's" picture from the Halloween article.)

Well, Haley needs her clothes back. :-) And, yes, Haley looks "blissful", doesn't she? Andrew seems rather proud.

It's that time again........Congratulations!

Leave it to my husband, Ruedi

We held our breath looking outside our bedroom window. The oversized mucho fat perpetrator was daring once again to attack our sanctuary. Being unsuccessful to stop his uninvited presence in the past, we had become desparate avengers to decimate this desperado.

Researching defense moves to counter-act our adversary's offense, we drove to our main research center in Mountain Home, AR., WALMART.

Choosing our ultimate weapon, we put out the green bucks necessary to protect our homestead.

And we waited.

Sure enough he approched, his corpulent body confident he would score again. And, then, it happened. The newly chosen bird seed feeder closed down its gates because of this squirrel's chubby wubby weight triggered the defense system. The menancing squirrel was powerless. The bird seed was saved!

I jumped in victory; we hugged each other for this compelling success of competitive playing against a conniving opponent who had beaten us so many times before. We were the Giants, and we had won victory! Dejected, rejected, the squirrel, glancing back with a small tear in his eye, vanished.

The squirrel had been conquered, and I laughed with glee. My husband was more quiet. I assumed he was exhausted from all our previous attempts to get rid of this varmint.

Minutes later, as I walked into the family room to watch TV, I discovered my husband outside on the balcony. He was carefully pouring birdseed on the balcony's railing.

Nov. 2007, HIKING IN SWITZERLAND, ok, PRETENDING TO HIKE IN SWITZERLAND

See the little town way down in the valley between the mountains?
It was quite a hike! My husband says, "In your dreams..."
Okay, it was in my dreams, but I was exhausted when I woke up.

Here are a few pictures of us cruising Ruedi's "backyard". :-)

There are people who live beyond the "end of this road". As in a couple of these pictures, they park their cars and proceed hiking to their homes.

And I thought walking up my driveway was hiking. HA!

We walked into the town of Altdorf. I love the town of Altdorf. Ruedi enjoys being on his native turf. This was a fun trip.

Brunnital,a nearby town!

Imholz Christmas in 2007

Haven Littleton, 4 years old,

God's Christmas angel

Welcoming the New Year

Ho,Ho Ho Everyone!

Maybe an Elizabeth Taylor perfume or an outfit from Victoria Secrets....? I saw its show the other day. I thought the wings some of the models were wearing were a cute touch.

SO, as I was fine tuning my wish list, the computer died, and my dish washer sprung a major leak. My crumpled-up wish list has found its way to the waste basket.

FOR MY CHRISTMAS NEWS

Haley, my oldest daughter, mother of three, five years and younger, is currently not pregnant this season. She teaches dance, but it's her three children who keep her in shape. Andrew cheerfully continues to work at Dell while singing a Christmas tune about college tuitions and a mortgage pear tree.

Remember my telling you Ruedi was a bus driver last Christmas season? Ditto this one as well...
Robin, who participated so beautifully in a church Christmas program, was as equally radiant this year.
My college graduate baby daughter gave her honey, Bret, a chocolate lab, named Maddux. Bret insisted that Annaliese and he sould have joint custody. After 25 accidents in Annaliese's apartment, Maddux has been declared potty trained. They're SO proud!

NEW NEWS...!

My sister, Diana, landed a decent role in "The Singing Christmas Tree" at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN. Playing a bossy Italian character, Angelina, she was a FUNNY lady! There she was in her element: acting, running around the stage chasing Luegi, her "stage" brother, with a wooden spoon, e-v-e-r-y-b-i-t the professional.

Last month Ruedi and I flew to Switzerland, to visit his family in Atldorf. Ruedi turned 70 in November, and it was a fabulous family reunion. Oh his family love to cook! As we visited family members, they did not hold back. They brought out the best of the best. Of course, they run up and down mountains daily and inbetween walked to and from town. I would utter softly "yummy" and look for the closest chair.

That's what New Year Resolutions are for. And...as soon as I move next to a mountain...

Christmas 2007 is a reminder to count my blessings, as we face 2008. My granddaughter, Haven, put all the pieces of life in perspective for me. She looked up to me and exclaimed,
" Oma, you have a big tummy." An emormous smile took hold of her face, and as her eyes sparkled, "Are you carrying a baby in your tummy?'

"No, Haven, Oma is simply full of joy, love for her family and friends, and grateful for life." (Note: albeit the Swiss cuisine may have been a small contributing factor...)

It's my Christmas wish that your tummies be full of glad tidings and most of all, God's richest blessings.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Love,
Ruedi & Charlene

FACING THE NEW YEAR BRAVELY

Elam James Littleton,

16 months

&

Five years old,

Gibson Littleton,

I mean,

Buzz Light Year,

Opa leading his grandchidren into the new year with great anticipation for a prosperous 2008.

& Cousin Bernard, 4 yrs. old

Ruedi's 70th Birthday! WHOA!

On Ruedi's last bus tour, the Church of the Nazarene gave Ruedi a surprised birthday party. He received such cute gag gifts, I had to share. These people have a sense of humor!

Ruedi and I are leaving for Switzerland on the 15th this month. Ruedi will celebrate his 70th birthday with his brother and family on the 17th. I'm going because my children and sister pitched in and bought my ticket. Because it was a surprise, I have had no time to exercise, lose weight (as if I would) or ask for an emergency extreme make-over. I have to go AS IS.

Thank the good Lord for my magnanimous personality! ;-)

Blind Leading the Blind

It was all set up; nothing could possibly go wrong..............unless you are who you are.

Every month, the neighborhood ladies have a luncheon together the second Thursday. I was feeling pretty good, had gotten my hair cut. I had used some make-up my daughter, Annaliese, had given me. I was ready to go!

All I had to do was pick up Frances and be on my way. Everything was timed perfectly.

A young couple had completed building their home in the Sycamore Highlands where I live. Living with them was Holt's mom, Frances. Frances is so nice! Having to deal with Alzheimer's, she is so amazing, and we had chemistry!

Last month I went with a neighbor, Shelly, to pick up Frances because Frances doesn't drive. Today, I was picking up Frances by myself.

"No problem!"

Frances' daughter-in-law called me this morning to confirm my picking her mother-in-law up at exactly 12:00 noon. (Maggie is one of these precise people.) I said that's correct. Maggie informs me that she will be eating with the ladies today, and she'll meet Frances and me there; then Frances can return home with her.

"No problem."

At precisely Noon, I was at Frances' home; we were on our way to the ladies' luncheon at the country club by the golf course. "No problem"

We drove up to the Elk's Restaurant by the golf course. Frances said, "This looks familiar."

We walked in with a couple who had to use a key to get in. I chuckled to Frances, "One of our ladies must have a membership here." I walked up to the hostess and replied we were with the neighborhood ladies' luncheon. She picked up two menus and headed to a group of ladies in the back. The hostess said as we neared the party, "You'll be joining The Ladies' Investment Group." I said, "No, we're joining the neighborhood eat and yak, yak group."

As Frances and I left the Elk's Club, I looked at my watch. It was 12:30, and we were lost, and we definitely were no longer precise. I said to Frances that this is the only golf course I know. She said, "It did look familiar."

I said we should try the other side of the golf course. As we flew by a building, Frances said, "That looks familiar." That's First Baptist Church.

Later, she said, "This road looks familiar." I know; we've been on it twice.

I picked up my cell phone to call my husband to call Ed, a neighbor, in hopes we could be given directions. My cell phone was dead.

I stopped at two places where both people said, "We have a Country Club in Mountain Home?"

Finally told where another golf course was, we flew to 62W for Big Creek. "This looks familiar." says Frances. It doesn't look familiar to me.

We found them! Obviously, Maggie was overjoyed (relieved, a better word?) and later thanked me for having taken her mother-in-law on an impromptu tour of this fair city. And I have learned an important lesson. When the blind is leading the blind,----------- have a cell phone ready!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2007

My daughter, Robin, was at my home helping me take a "family friend" out of the box for Halloween. Close by were Haley's maternity clothes lying in a pile....collecting dust.

"It is SO different that my sister is not having a baby this year," Robin muses.

"Tell me about it. For years, my Christmas letters sang out Haley's pregnant or has had the baby!"

"What are you going to do about all these maternity clothes? Give them to Annaliese?" asked Robin.

"No, they'll be relics by then. She is buying a pink jacket for her puppy, though..... Naw, we can't count on it, Robin."

A light bulb clicked inside our heads.

Friends and Family! Happy Halloween from Robin and me, Ruedi and our newly pregnant Family Friend!

She looks blissful, doesn't she? :-)

My daughter is 28 years old. What happened?

Frances Haley Imholz Littleton will be 28 years old on October 24, 2007. When I was 28, I was immature, enjoying my life as a flight attendant; I was single and living with 5 other roommates in Hermosa Beach, CA. Whoa!

My daughter married a great, great guy, Andrew, when she was 20. Boomer, her pug, was her first "child" followed shortly by three children. The oldest is now five. I think she said whoa too. :-)

We have had different life styles, but through all of my mistakes I have made in my life, I have done a few things right. Ruedi and I have these unbelievable, fantastic children.

Well, of course my grandchildren are the source of my smiles, and I want them to grow up every bit as grand as my three children have. This is where I say God is wonderful. GOD IS WONDERFUL. God has blessed little ole me. ( I wish I could use the word, "little" literally.)

My youngest, a cum laude graduate, this past May, for the nonce, is dating her beau, Bret. (He's the one with the horses.) Annaliese will marry in a few years probably when I'm 82, but that's okay. I just hope it's Bret b-e-c-a-u-s-e I have adopted him in my heart......,and he has horses.

My middle child Robin is doing fabulously well at the assisted living apartments for those who need a little help. She works hard at the warehouse. The staff at the apartments make sure the clients have activities each week. They're involved in bowling and participating in the Special Olympics. Robin has a couple of gold medals in her pocket to boot. Of the three children, she dares to live in the same town, as Ma & Pa.

To see the others I must travel to Clarksville, TN, or Oklahoma City, OK. It's worth the trip. Annaliese's newest addition to her family is a chocolate lab named Maddux. So my family is growing and getting older. I'm mighty proud of them. I hope they know.

Annaliese on the left...

Haley in the center...

Robin on the right...

"Sing Her That Song You Sang To Me"

(A poem I wrote years and years ago as a tribute to my sister's and my mother,

Dorothy L. Chiles, 1920-2001.)
When I was in Heaven before I was born,
God saw I was lonely & oft looked fore-longed.

He looked down on earth to see what He had
And sure enough there was Mom & Dad.

"Okay, my little angel, it’s time to go.
You’re due there in spring right after the snow."

The earth was full of a very strange noise,
But this little kid darn kept her poise.

I looked into the eyes of Mom & Dad,
And I saw in his eyes something sad.

As if he would shortly say good-bye,
And take my place in the Heavens up high.

But in my mom’s eyes I saw strength & courage.
I knew she would nev’r let me be discouraged.

And just before my father went
From Heaven above a package was sent.

Bald headed, chubby, big eyes of blue,
She looked up & smiled; she was too good to be true!

And then Father left us so terribly alone,
But God sent me a message by a whispering song.

He sang low & deep enough for me to hear.
He told me that Di & I shall have nothing to fear.

“I left a mother strong & capable.
She will bring you up right as best as she’s able."

Now that Diana & I are out on our own.
I remember long ago the words of that song.

"She’ll give & give until her heart will break.
You’ll never be lonely, for She I won’t take.”

Through all the years that have passed by,
Mother has steadfastly stayed by our side.

The greatest Christmas gift that God could give
Was given to us that Mother would live.

And now I pray for a gift from above
That there will be grandchildren soon for her to love.

And, God, here is a little song to You.
All You said about Mother was all quite true.

She has shown us love more than any other.
We can proudly say she is our dear Mother.

Now keep her in health & happy too.
Never let her be lonely I pray to You.

And when the gates of Heaven welcome her above,
Make sure she knows, how much, she was loved.

(The good Lord sent three grandchildren: a brunette, 1979, a blonde,1984, and a strawberry blonde, 1985!)