2012 Conner Family Activities

Monday, January 16, 2012. With the day off Joe and I decided to make a day trip out to the Washita National Battlefield by Cheyenne, Oklahoma. Will say this time of year it isn't the most beautiful that it can be when the grass is green. Overall, however, it was a day of firsts.

First time we have been to the Washita Battlefield, first time we have ever been to Strong City, Oklahoma, Hammon, Oklahoma and Arapaho, Oklahoma. On our way home Joe asked if I wanted to stop at the Roadside Picnic area on I-40 just East of Cherokee. Looked at the man and said, not really, but if you feel the need, please stop. He returns with, "well I haven't ever done that before. . . " Just for the record, we didn't stop off at the Picnic area.

On our journey home we took Hwy 283 North out of Cheyenne to Hwy 33, and followed it East to Hwy 183, then south to Clinton. Saw where William works at the Indian Health building. We reconnected to I-40 out on the east side and were back home by 4:30 p.m

Biggest regret is I did not take a camera to take pictures of our adventures.

Pip went with us, and stayed right with us as we hiked around the battlefield. She stayed in the car and rested up while Joe and I went to the visitor center. We watched a film about the events that led up to the massacre of Black Kettle, his wife and many of his tribe. Hate that this event happened. Do wish that people would learn from their mistakes and or the mistakes of others. History has great value in that we can learn from mistakes of others.

Fall 2010

Hard to believe it is November already. Having a nice fall except for the wind, getting some pecans off our tree, worms didn't get them all!

Joe and Michael left Monday for Arizona for a couple weeks. Carol and I, respectively have them 8 and 7 days gone. They have yet to go on a Gold Prospecting expedition that lasted the full time. Talked with Joe last night. Took them over an hour to drive 10 miles out into the desert where they are camping and prospecting. Their first stop was at their cousin Marybelle's. She prepared them a feast and Joe says her home is absolutely beautiful.

Conner Family Thanksgiving is Friday November 26th at Riverside. Should be fun! Wishing Joey and company were coming. I will head to Missouri the 10th of December to celebrate Jolie's 4th birthday. She looks like she has changed a lot in the photos I see posted of her on FB. Wishing we all lived closer together.

In other family news: Jan had neck surgery last week, and is home with Sherry taking very good care of her. Carol and Mike became foster parents to a lovely little chiwawa; Carol says she is very sweet but obsessive about being with her at all times.

Michael III is back from his military training, so good to have him back. He and Tori are doing pretty good all things considered. Thinking Karsyn keeps smiles on their faces. They are planning a formal wedding for the spring, so we will wait for the family & Church reception until they are ready.

Chas is off to Cameron, doing well in school but we miss having him around. Hailey was married in October and should graduate from OSU by Spring. Emily has decided on Pharmacy school and will continue with that next fall.

Joey is now a part of The Scott Ford Band (http://www.scottfordmusic.com/www.scottfordmusic.com/EPK.html). They sound really good, and his second show he was asked for his autograph. The girls are so proud of their daddy (well I think we all are). We are all very thankful for his determination and full year of sobriety.

All for now. . .

WorkKeys Gives College Graduates an Edge in Tight Job Market: Autumn 2009 Activity

WorkKeys Gives College Graduates an Edge in Tight Job Market: Autumn 2009 Activity

Jolie's visits to FT during her two weeks were great, she made many friends, and we actually got some shots with two of her fans, Mary and Shari.

So cute when I was leaving yesterday, Jolie said she really liked Mary. Of course it helps that Mary took her to lunch and let her ride without being in a car seat. Very memorable for a two year old.

Branson Visit - May 23, 2009

Drove to Branson on Friday, May 22nd to pick up our grand daughters, Emery, Jessica and Jolie. Had a horribly bad day getting there, as the truck broke down, and Joe and I took that stupid alternator off two times and bought two new belts (only needed one). Needless to say that was an expensive day on the road. We also purchased a new battery. On the bright side we made some new friends along the way.

Arrived in Branson and at our condo around 9:45 p.m. Went to Shorty Smalls for a bite to eat, around 10 p.m.

Saturday morning Fara brought the girls and their stuff to the condo. Thanks Fara!!! We did a little shopping and then the girls swam for a little while. It rained most of Saturday in Branson. Sunday was a long drive home, but we made it in time to go to church. The older girls hooked up with their friends and one stayed with a friend and the other one had someone over here.

Family/Church picnic at Adams park on Memorial day. Great time with all our friends and family. Tuesday the girls stayed with a friend and I worked like a dog! Got home around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday the girls went to work with me, and Jolie entertained the crew at work.

Thursday was back with Teala out at Mindy's house. Think Jolie was in toy heaven.

Friday Grandpa let the girls stay home and then they went swimming with cousins. The girls have been great with Jolie, helping me and I happily pay them....

Saturday, we shopped for a few hours.

More later. . .

Gayle, Carol and Jan at Riverside School for Andrew's send off lunch. 4/26/09

Oklahoma Hosts National Nano Conferences

The following are comments sent to the The State Chamber concerning the Nano Conferences held this past week in OKC.

WOW!!! What a homerun for Oklahoma and The State Chamber. Once again the State Chamber staff pulled off a major success this past week with these two significant Nano Conferences.

We heard so many compliments on the organization and implementation of the events and activities, I feel compelled to share a few. If I heard it once, I heard it 20 times, “I am so pleasantly surprised at how friendly Oklahomans are and how neat, clean, quiet and restful this city is and how much progress Oklahoma City has made in downtown revitalization.” “You have the friendliest and most helpful staff, even the maids go the extra mile.”

One speaker as he got to the podium said, “before I make my presentation, I want to tell you about my cab ride in from the airport at 10:30 the other night. The cab driver was very friendly and helpful. When I told him to take me to the Skirvin Hotel, he immediately asked if I was here for the nanotechnology conference and then proceeded to tell me all about nanotechnology and how Oklahoma was doing wonderful things with nano. I queried him and he really seemed to have a real sense of what nano was about. I want you to know I was impressed and I continue to be so.”

Other positive comments on Oklahoma Nano –
“I’m surprised and impressed at how much Oklahoma has it together in Nano and the commitment and involvement of the state government, the state chamber and the entrepreneurs in nanotechnology.”
“I never expected to see a Research Park like this (Presbyterian) in downtown Oklahoma City and the carbon nanotube plant (Southwest Nanotechnologies) in Norman – so clean and well thought out, so environmentally friendly, and safety conscious.”
“Bricktown is amazing and the Science Museum and IMAX theater were a real treat.”

At the end of the day, Dr. Mikail Roco, Chief Science Advisor on Nanotechnology for the National Science Foundation, and Chairman of the National Nano Conference Planning Committee, sought me out and said, “Jim, I am so happy we selected Oklahoma City to host our event, it has been such a wonderful experience for me and our staff, so often all I see is talk, talk, talk – in Oklahoma you guys don’t talk, you do. Real nano companies doing important work, so much cooperation with state government, business and education. The workshop was run very smoothly and will help guide nanotechnology in the future. I want to work with you again, my friend.”

Jim D. Mason, CCE, CEcD, EDFP, Vice President - Technology Iniatives and Executive Director of the Oklahoma Nanotechnology Initiative, The State Chamber of Oklahoma, 330 NE 10th, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, 405-235-3669 / Direct line 405-272-4420 / jdmason@okstatechamber.com /www.oktechcouncil.com /www.oknano.com