Worlds apart....

Just to give you a visual of the events back "home" in MD ( I pulled these from the Frederick Post).

































And...this week in Texas.....





















We have an extra room...come visit anytime!

Short cuts

A few weeks ago I cut off 12 inches of hair. Yikes! I should have remembered to take a before and after picture... but all I got was one of the pony tail itself. While I like the ease of shorter hair- I'm not used to being unable to pull it up in a pony tail. But- I know it'll grow back, and the order to the universe will again be restored.

In other news...Byron had the weekend off! Yes- you read that correctly! The WHOLE weekend. So...we decided to celebrate with a ranch weekend with friends. Johnny and Genevieve came up on Friday night, followed by Gentry and Robert on Saturday. We slept in late, cooked big meals, and grilled out. The boys each brought their arsenal of weapons and we spent a good few hours in the cold trying each on out. It was fun. Each girl hit at least one target! Horray! We also took a "walk" through the fields in search of arrowheads. Well- Byron was the only one really looking. Genevieve and I were busy trying to pry ourselves out of the mud while Johnny was focused on playing fetch with Tucker and trying to keep him away from the cows.

It was a much needed getaway for both of us. PLUS I had the day off today which really came in handy. I cleaned, cooked a little, organized, payed bills, put up curtains etc.....all those things I've been meaning to do- but haven't gotten around to. I feel so much better!

When it rains....

It pours or so they say. As you all know my Grandpa Lee passed away about two weeks ago now. I returned on Saturday after the funeral and have a day or two to get things taken care of around the house. I must say....I was in a funk. I was soooo homesick all of a sudden. More "people home sick" I would say. I don't necessarily miss my physical house back east- I just miss being with my familiy. It was SOOOO hard to leave the room full of people at my Grandmothers and jump in the car for the airport. It is so rare that we are all together and it was nice to sit and visit.

I went back to work on Monday- which was a welcome distraction. I had just been feeling down for the previous week. Then Monday night...I got a text from my mom around 11PM saying "Call home". I knew something was wrong. My heart was racing as the phone connected and a wave of relief hit me when my Dad answered. I was just so afraid something had happened to him. But his voice wasn't all that comforting in the end. I could tell something was wrong. Turns out my Grandmother had a massive stroke that evening. I burst into tears and had to wake Byron up to listen to the details. My heart was just broken and I wanted to be back home with my family.

Her condition declined each day, and she passed away February 2nd. She was aware for a day a most after the stroke. Enough time for my Dad to get down there and squeeze her hand before she drifted away into a land of no return. On one hand- I'm glad she won't have to suffer. Anyone who knew her - KNOWS she wouldn't want to be trapped in a body. But on the other hand- I'm really going to miss her.


I traveled to Wilmington for the services and once again- the only good part about the whole experience is being reunited with family. My cousin Elisa flew in from New Zealand! We don't get to see her very often and all the cousins really love being together. Although...its virtually impossible to get a good picture of all of us. See some of the out takes below.







Dad had another birthday so since we were all together on Saturday- we decided to bake a cake. Afterwards, we took dad out to dinner and a movie. Actually -Dad took us out. We bought the snacks. What I guy...I tell ya! Taking everyone else out on his birthday. We saw Avatar in 3D- hence the silly glasses.







While we were celebrating down south....a MONSTER storm was blanketing the Mid atlantic. Mom, Dad, Justus, and Alisha missed a total of 33 inches, only to have to return to an absolute MESS. As if that wasn't enough...another storm came in two days later and dropped another 2 feet on them! So- my poor parents have had a rough month. Its strange to say...but they are EAGER to get back to work and a normal routine.

Thank you all for the outpouring of cards, prayers and well wishes for my family and me. We really appreciate it and feel so blessed to have so many people in our lives that love us. Thank you.

Farewell to Papa Lee

Grandpa Lee passed away last Friday just before 4 am. I know this is a part of life, but it's just a sad thing. My Mom and all of her siblings (6 in total) were able to go down for a week a piece over the last two months to help out and share some precious time with Grandpa. He also had visitors from around the globe during his final two months here.

I traveled to South Florida for the funeral this week, and I'm so thankful that I did. Relatives, friends, and neighbors poured in from all over to pay their respects, and share a memory or two of Grandpa Lee. It was wonderful to finally meet some of these people I'd always heard about! My Aunts and Uncles held up better than I expected and they all did their part in taking care of all the arrangements, errands, and needs of the family for this event. During the funeral, relatives and friends were invited to share their thoughts about grandpa. Growing up in the Lee family, I didn't really appreciate the gift of my Grandfather like I should have. Seeing all the people and hearing the stories of his quiet service for others brought tears to everyone's eyes.

Here is an excerpt from the program:

Jin Wah Lee was borni n China November 5th, 1927, the eldest of four children. He came to the U.S. in 1938 at age 11/ While completing his basic schooling, he also worked in the family laundry in Waltham, MA. (Completing basic schooling is an amazing feat since he didn't speak the language. Can you imagine the perseverance, dedication, and tough skin it would take to do that?!?!) He served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1947. Following honorable discharge from the Army, he entered Worcester Polytechnic Institute, completing his degree in electrical engineering in 1951.

Jin returned to China in 1948 to marry Kim May Tom. Caroly, the first of 6 children was born in 1949 She was followed by Helen, Esther, Nancy, Donald, (The long awaited son and Diane. His wife's 11 year old brother, Benjamin was brought from China and adopted by the family in 1959. (At the funeral I learned he 'adpoted' about 6 other kids and helped them get a start here in the states!) The family resided in MA until 1969. During this period of time, Jin was instrumental in bringing the remaining family members in China to the United States. The opportunity to be involved in building a new company (Medcor) led the family to relocated to Miami, FL in 1969 leaving the 3 eldest in Boston to pursue higher education.

Jin's career is notable for achievements including working on the Apollo Lunar Excursion model (LEM) while working with RCA and cutting edge design for cardiac pacemakers with Medcor. ( Grandpa was REALLY REALLY smart ....try reading and understanding his memoir of these projects!!!) This later project earned him high respect from the cardiac community including Miami Heart Institute where he was often mistaken for a doctor.

He lived his life with a focus around family...needs, obligations, expectations and rewards and acted as family leader/negotiator/ mediator/ counselor to extended family. Although a quiet and humble man he was a man of strong principles. "Doing was was right" was a close second after the importance of family. This held true in work and social interactions as well as within family. Teaching and guiding by example was his trademark.

Married 62 years, his 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries were celebrated with family reunions in Miami and Boston. When his health declined in October of the past year the family gathered again in November. Many relatives came LONG distances to share time with him as well. After a period of improvement and hope, Jin's health again declined. He passed on January 15th, 2010.
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A few things he taught me:
1. watch out for the vultures (referring to venture capitalists when giving me advice about starting a company)
2. When you get married...its your turn to GIVE red envelopes rather than receive.
3. Be good to others...even when no one is watching.
4. Be true to your word
5. Be generous. Very generous.
6. Take care of/be there for your family, no matter what.
7. Education is the key that opens many doors...get a good one


While this part of life- isn't exactly a pleasant one... I'm glad he was able to spend the last few weeks with his family. I suppose there is a positive side to knowing the end is near. It afforded him the quality time with family and friends and also allowed time to organize finances and funeral arrangements. His main concern was taking care of my grandmother after he's gone.


My favorite part was going over to Grandma's the day after the ceremony and hanging out with family. I didn't want to leave. It was a lot of fun to visit, tell stories and catch up on life. One of my new years resolutions is to call my grandparents more. They just love hearing from the grandkids and hearing about life. I haven't been very good at that in the past- life always seems to get in the way. But I need to be better. So I'm going to be.

Road Trip Part II

On Wednesday, Byron and I headed up to Maryland to spend the rest of the week with my folks. Dad picked us up from the airport and we stopped at a little diner with homemade Maryland crab soup. (Wow- is it obvious how much I like to eat in these blog posts?!?)

We went to church that night with everyone and got to catch up with family and friends. We were pretty tired from traveling all day so we just watched a movie and chilled out on the couch.

Thursday we headed up the mountain to my parents favorite breakfast joint and had a long leisurely breakfast. Dad and Byron went to a hunting supply store while Mom and I ran into some other shoppes. It was one of those wonderful lazy, leisurely days where no the "schedules" go out the window and you can move at a much slower rate.

Justus and Alisha came down for dinner and games that night. I wish I had some pictures of this, but Byron and I taught my family how to play 42 with dominos. The first time is always a little frustrating, but by the end of the week- the competitive nature came out in everyone! Mom was thrilled to have her whole family sitting around the table eating, playing games, and reminiscing.

Mom, Dad, Byron and I braved the cold on Friday after a fresh few inches of snow and hit the mountain for some snow tubing. THe lanes were extra fast this year, and the goal was to 1. Catch some mad air 2. smash into the giant air bounce thing at the end of the ramp (think jump house for kids). It was freezing- but we were able to forget that minor detail when having so much fun.

We also took a trip up to Justus' new log cabin. They just finished it a few weeks ago and are waiting on inspections. I can't believe how talented he is! I really can't believe he knows how to build a house. It is simply AWESOME. Sometimes I wonder if we came from the same family. A few months back (when they first began building) Byron and I went up to help. Justus and I had a previous conversation about the things I could work on (I mentioned I'd like to do something that couldn't be too damaging).

He said "you can chisel receptacles."
Me thinking "trash cans?"
Me talking "Why don't you just buy them?"
Justus: "What?"
Me talking: "why dont you just buy trash cans and save yourself the time and labor of chiseling them".
Justus: "Are you serious?" LAUGHTER

I soon found out that receptacles are Electrical sockets in the wall. Nice Sarah. See what I mean about my knowledge of house building?!?!


Anyway- Their house is really cool. The kitchen is very unique and specially designed by Alisha herself. She's an amazing artist with a great eye for design. She also does wedding invitations if anyone is interested:) (I had to put the plug in there. She did mine and was very reasonable and professional).

All in all it was a GREAT trip home. I love being back east. I was slightly depressed having to board the plane for home. I like our life here, really. I just miss home sometimes. And I didn't want to go back to work. Byron and I were simply dreading it after 10 days off. But it was fine. We're back in the grove now.

Holiday Road Trip....Part 1: Winston-Salem

Sigh. We're back from vacation and back to the grind. Repeat sigh. Nah....it's not that bad. We just miss being back east. It was simply wonderful to visit with friends, play with new babies, and hang out with family. Don't get me wrong...I"m happy here in Texas, I just miss the people back east.


First, I headed to Winston Salem for New Years Eve. Byron had to work on New Years Day so he followed me a few days later. Charlie and Lesa were gracious enough to let me have a "Sleepover" with Jennie. She came to the Wake v. Richmond game with us that night and we stayed up till the wee hours of the morning chatting about live. You know those rare friends that you can just pick up with wherever you left off and never miss a beat? She's one of those:)

New Years Day Lesa, Jennie, Leslie and I hit the shoppes. It was a leisurely ladies day out and we found some great post Christmas deals. I tried to be disciplined and only buy a FEW things- and the fact that I had to bring everything back in an already stuffed suitcase helped me reign in control. Mostly- it was just nice to mill about with the girls and not have to really go anywhere or do anything. I spent that night back at Jennie's place where we watched old episodes of that sing-off show (I can't remember the name of it now), a movie, and ate lots of junk-food.

Meanwhile, Poor Byron was slaving away at the hospital. Gentry was great (and instrumental I might add) in getting Byron out of the hospital on time for his Saturday morning flight to Charlotte. Phew. It was a close one- but after being up all night and flying all day, he finally made it back to Winston. Leslie and I took a little pit-stop on our way to pick him up at the airport (thank you Byron for flying into Charlotte and NOT in Greensboro just this once). That's right...we hit the POLISH POTTERY WAREHOUSE! I know, I know- its a mild obsession. We only allowed ourselves an hour in the store, and thereby accrued only minimal damage.

We picked up a VERY groggy Byron and headed back to the house for an amazing meal (Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, peas, homemade biscuits, and pear pie), a very late Christmas gift exchange, some bunny play/trick time, and a good moive. Byron ducked out as soon as the gifts were opened, but Lesa, Leslie, and I watched 7 lbs which was a real tear jerker.




Sunday we headed to church where many of our friends worship. It was simply WONDERFUL to see everyone. Charlie and Lesa were gracious enough to let us have a little party after church where about 30 of our friends came over for lunch. It took Byron and I FOREVER to get out the front door of the church building because of all the wonderful hugs, well wishes, and greetings from everyone there. Its a true role reversal when you get the call from your parents to: "Get in the car...let's go."



Back at the house we visited with friends for the entire afternoon. I got to hold Nathan again for a few hours! He's changed so much in the last two months and is so much more interactive! I'm so glad Katie has started her blog (wink wink) and I can now follow his happenings. Tyler and Wyatt were also there and they had a great time playing with Ginger. On the other side of a glass door of course. Ashling and Luke are so big now and are the coolest little people I know- I love listening to their table talk. They were somewhat obsessed with Leslie's bunny- and Bunny did a great job of enduring their "love and attention".

Check out the video Byron caught of the kids interacting with Bunny. Note Tyler's outfit and him eating the "Rabbit food". SOOO Cute.







Byron had a chance to go bird hunting for an entire day with Charlie which was a real treat. They shot 20 of the 21 releases and we cooked up a feast that night! Yummo- fresh quail is just something that can't be beat. Its one of those meals that you talk about for the next 10 years. I missed most of it however for a much needed visit with my girlfriends Kiera, Candice and Shanna. Shanna's little one has the best hair of any kid I know! It stands strait up and I LOVE IT. I love his expression in this picture. I can't believe how fast these kids change. It makes me a little sad to miss it all. I'll just have to make more trips I guess. If I must. :)


All in all it was a fabulous trip to Winston.