Spring

Spring has come to the Ozarks and I am loving it. Everything is in bloom and the sun is shining. Things are busy both at work, home and school. I have only 38 days to graduation - Yeah Yeah Yeah!!!! Ken is working in his garden and I'm back to taking walks with Bailey each evening. The greenhouse is open and I'm looking forward to playing in the dirt. My grandbabies are both growing - both walking and so much fun. Jeremiah, Kasey and Mabry will be home for my graduation. It will the first time the whole family is together since Thanksgiving. Can't wait.

Better late .....

Well - alot has happened since my last post. Mabry and Brody are both now one year old. We celebrated each birthday with a great party. Mabry is walking up a storm and Brody is right behind her. They are both so much fun. This has been a busy semester - my last one as an undergrad as I will be graduating in May. YEAH!!! YEAH!!!! I have been accepted into the English graduate program at Missouri State University. My plan is to take this summer off and start again in the fall. I just can't seem to quite going to school - I really like it. I think MSU will be a huge challenge for me - guess we'll see. I hope to keep this blog more up to date in the future. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Brody pictures

Brody has learned how to make faces and this is his favorite one. He is so funny to watch.

Article on Ken

The following article was on the MSU website. Unfortunately is available only to faculty & staff who have a login. Thought you might enjoy it.


From the drawing board to the construction world

Ken Boatright enjoys the challenge of a blank piece of paper.

“For me, I feel it is a God-given desire,” said Boatright. “There is just something about taking a flat piece of paper, making a drawing that looks two dimensional and, if everything goes well, it actually looks like the subject!”

For many years, Boatright has been recreating the beauty of a variety of subjects. Armed with a pen or pencil and a piece of paper, the only qualifier for being a subject of one of his drawings is to capture his interest. Visitors at the Ozark Empire Fair and the annual Ozarks Celebration Festival often get to see Boatright’s work firsthand.

In addition to drawing, Boatright’s other hobbies include other hands-on, creative activities, such as woodworking and gardening.

“I have always admired people who could create or do things with their hands,” said Boatright.

As project manager for the design and construction office at Missouri State University, Boatright chose his profession based on his desire to build things. However, his drawing and drafting opened the door for his work with the University.

Recently, Boatright represented the University as the onsite contact for the renovation of Siceluff Hall. His work included inspections of the site to ensure the project was being built according to the plans and solving the problems that arose during construction.

“I enjoy building, working with contractors, architects and engineers, and working through the challenges that come up during construction,” said Boatright. “I get a lot of personal satisfaction from being involved from the start to the finish of a project.”

Boatright has also been involved in multiple projects at the William H. Darr Agricultural Center, including the construction of a multipurpose barn, renovation of Pinegar Arena and improvements to the parking lot and entrance road.

“I enjoy working at the University because it is always changing, and each day brings a new set of opportunities and challenges,” said Boatright, who has worked at Missouri State for 31 years.

Labor Day

We spent Labor Day holiday in Snyder, TX with Jeremiah, Kasey and Mabry. We went to a Snyder football game on Friday night, Kasey, Mabry and I went antique shopping - we had fun and bought a few things. Kasey bought a cute little table and two chairs for their front porch. They guys worked on a project at home. Sunday was church and a cookout. We had a great visit and are making plans for the holidays - already!! Mabry is sure growing and I expect she will be crawling next time we see her.

Brody update

Matt, Jaclyn & Brody stopped by Sunday on their way home from Sedalia. Brody is sure growing - he is so funny. He just laughs and he lights up when he sees his Daddy.

I'm back

Well it has been a busy August and I finally have some time to update my blog. We drove to Tulsa on Sunday, August 16 to meet up with Kasey and Mabry. We have a great visit - had lunch and did some shopping. It was so good to see them again. Jeremiah was not able to come due to work but it was really good to see the girls again. We are planning a trip to Texas soon. More pictures to come. Here are some picture of Mabry taken in Tulsa.

Blue Ribbons

Ken won several blue ribbons for his artwork at the fair. He entered an eagle, a tractor and an owl. He is such a good artist.

Prize winning cake

Last year I entered the "Weird Chocolate Cake" contest at the Ozark Empire Fair. Didn't place. This year I tried it again. After making several cakes and sharing them with my office and Ken's office - I entered a "Black Bean Chocolate Cake" and won first place. Yeah!! I had a lot of fun experimenting with different cakes and both offices had fun eating them. I've already begun thinking about next years cake.

Ozark Empire Fair

Brody made his first trip to the Ozark Empire Fair. Although he did sleep through most of it he did wake up in time to enjoy some of it. We had a great time - looking at all the exhibits and all Ken's blue ribbons. Enjoyed corn dogs, McAlister's Tea and Hiland ice cream. Yum! Oh - I forgot the turkey leg. We had a great time.

I can't believe it has been so long since I have posted. Things have been pretty crazy. We are in the last two weeks of summer school and everything is due NOW!! Work is semi-quiet but still busy. We are busy with the garden and yard so it never ends. Ken is in training for the MS150 bike ride in September. Bailey and I are taking lots of walks and enjoying the summer. I have babysit Brody several times - he is so much fun and entertaining. I'm planning a trip to Snyder to see Jeremiah, Kasey and Mabry in late August. Can't wait to see all of them and their new house. I know they have been working hard. Well - enough for now.

New pictures

Grandbaby news

Well it has been a busy couple of weeks. I left on Memorial Day and drove to Texas. Spent the week spoiling Mabry and helping Jeremiah and Kasey pack up to move. Mabry got her first tooth while I was there. We had a great time. I babysit one night while Jeremiah & Kasey went to dinner. Came home on Friday. On June 4 I spent the afternoon and night with Brody. Matt and Jaclyn went to Minneapolis to a wedding and Jaclyn's mom, Jeanna, and I shared Brody. I had a great time. He is beginning to talk and coo - he loves books and being read to. We had a really good time talking and visiting. Being a Nana is so much fun.

Beautiful Babies

Scoreboard

Here is the new scoreboard - twisted like a pretzel.

This is the new football field and track. You can see the mangled bleachers. You can also see the roof damage.

Tornado damage at Fair Grove

last Friday, May 8 the town of Fair Grove was hit by a tornado. Here are some pictures of the damage at the High School. Thankfully, no one was hurt. This is a picture of the light pole at the baseball field. The lights are on the ground and the pole is bent in half.

Quilts

If you know me you know I love quilts. Several years ago I started making quilts and have made approximately 25 quilts. Here are a few of my favorites. My favorite quilts to make are those with a Christmas or Holiday theme. I've also started making baby quilts and really enjoy those as well. I'm always looking for new, soft, beautiful fabric to make into a special quilt.

Wanna Be Gang member??

Matt took this picture of Brody - he looks like a wanna be gang member. Isn't he cute?? I think the expression says it all.

Baby News - Baby Blues

Baby News - Baby Blues... I have them both. The news is they are both growing healthy and strong. Look at these adorable faces. The Blues - I was sick over the weekend and didn't get to see or babysit Brody. Jeremiah, Kasey & Mabry were in Snyder, TX this weekend househunting. Jeremiah has accepted a job as an Academic Advisor at the Community College and they will be moving in June. Matt, Jaclyn & Brody spent Saturday at Branson Landing having a good time shopping. I was hoping to babysit on Sunday but things didn't work out but I'm excited about next time. I pretty much spent my weekend on the couch - running a temp and coughing. Uck!! What a waste of a beautiful weekend.