Tom, Lisa, Max, & Logan Butler June 2013

August 3, 2013

Hi All,

It has been a great year and an exciting and busy time for us. Sam has graduated from High School fifth in his class and in the top 3% at Tampa Bay Tech High School. Whew, what a relief, now for the bigger nail biter.

We are getting him ready for college at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute Indiana. Rose-Hulman is a small undergraduate Engineering school, which is good, because Sam has picked Computer Engineering as his college Major. Terre Haute, IN is a small Mimdwestern town on 1-70, approximately 75 miles southwest of Indianapolis near the Illinois border. The population is 60,000 and in addition to Rose-Hulman, it is home to Indiana State University and Saint Mary's in the Woods College. It is 4.5 hours/285 miles from Columbia, MO, 7.5 hours/422 miles from Mercer MO.

We will be driving up and dropping him him off on Labor Day weekend. It is 951 miles and a 16 hour drive. We have a 2 day parents orientation and Sam has a five day orientation.

Sam has been working hard at the Museum of Science and Technology this summer teaching computer and electronic summer camps. He is planning on working there again next summer when he comes home for summer break.

Sam will finally get to experience what winter really means, he is looking forward to snow and cold.

If you would like to write to him his address is: Samuel Lawrence, CM 1141, Rose-Hulman Institute of Techonolgy, 5500 Wabash Avenue, Terre Haute, IN 47803

Sincerely, Janet & Bob Burke

Season's Greetings Merry Christmas 2013

Love, David, Melissa, Allen, & Rebecca

Lyle E. Osburne, Des Moines

this unknown undated newspaper clipping was sent to Aunt Mary by Great Aunt Dona, with a post it note attached "Don't know if this is one of the family or not- It have in paper quite a while back & I forgot to send it-"

Lyle E. Osburne, 55, passed away at Bright Kavanagh House from cancer on Sunday, February 17, 2013. He was born August 2, 1957 in Des Moines, IA, where he remained the rest of his life.

Lyle will be most remembered for his lifetime of construction work, his talent in foosball, humor and his undeniable love for family and friends.

Lyle is survived by his daughters, Amber McDaniel and Lindsay Osburne, son Edward Osburne, three grandchildren, brothers, Edward Osburne, Patrick Osburne, CR Beavers, Rex Beaver Jr., sisters Cathie Dalrymple, Cindy Dugan and Jody Kelley, and life time companion, Sue Jenkins and many other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rex Beaver Sr. and Kathryn Beavers.

A celebration of life will be held from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, February 23, 2013 at Johnston Evangelical Free Church, 9901 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston, IA.

Memorial contributions can be made to the family for the burial at a later date.

Samuel Earl Lawrence, Tampa Bay Technical High School

Commencement Exercises Friday afternoon, June 7th, 4:30 p.m., Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall

love this! my grandma Grace gave Koren a quilt for her second birthday. she had started piecing it when she was 15 years old, from flour sacks, and finished it for Koren's 2nd birthday. did any of my grandparents wear flour sack diapers or dresses? maybe so. this is a wonderful, wonderful poem!

The 1930's Flour Sack

by Colleen B. Hubert

In that long ago time when things were saved,

when roads were graveled and barrels were staved

and there were no plastic wrap or bags,

and the well and the pump were way out back,

a versatile item, was the flour sack.

Pillsbury's best, mother's and gold medal, too

stamped their names proudly in purple and blue.

The string sewn on top was pulled and kept

the flour emptied and spills were swept.

The bag was folded and stored in a sack

That durable, practical flour sack.

The sack could be filled with feathers and down,

for a pillow, or t'would make a nice sleeping gown.

it could carry a book and be a school bag,

or become a mail sack slung over a nag.

It made a very convenient pack,

That adaptable, cotton flour sack.

Bleached and sewn, it was dutifully worn

as bibs, diapers, or kerchief adorned.

It was made into skirts, blouses and slips.

And mom braided rugs from one hundred strips

she made ruffled curtains for the house or shack,

from that humble but treasured flour sack!

As a strainer for milk or apple juice,

to wave men in, it was a very good use,

as a sling for a sprained wrist or a break,

to help mother roll up a jelly cake,

as a window shade or to stuff a crack,

we used a sturdy, common flour sack!

As dish towels, embroidered or not,

they covered up dough, helped pass pans so hot,

tied up dishes for neighbors in need,

and for men out in the field to seed.

They dried dishes from pan, not rack

that absorbent, handy flour sack!

We polished and cleaned stove and table,

scoured and scrubbed from cellar to gable,

we dusted the bureau and oak bed post,

made costumes for October (a scary ghost)

and a parachute for a cat named jack.

From that lowly, useful old flour sack!

So now my friends, when they ask you

As curious youngsters often do,

"before plastic wrap, elmers glue

and paper towels, what did you do?"

tell them loudly and with pride don't lack,

"grandmother had that wonderful flour sack!"

all the girls in this picture are wearing flour sack dresses.

Ian is not a fan of hats

these facebook posts from Koren make my day.....my grandma Pauline in California knew me by letters, and I know my grandson Ian by visits and the facebook posts and phone calls and texts from his momma inbetween....