Live from Ft Worth

I'm thinking of renaming my blog "live from Ft Worth" because that's the only time I have time to blog, when I'm in Ft Worth. Last week I was here for my monthly intern training, with Tai and the girls. They hung out at the pool and the zoo while I was at work. This week I'm back for a special training class.

I discovered today that I'm officially one of THEM. I'm a snooty business traveler. My car know the way to the airport parking garage, I don't even have to think about it. I get easily annoyed and frustrated with unseasoned travelers who hold up the security live. Today I piled my three totes (one for shoes and lip gloss, one for my purse, and one for my laptop) and walked around a guy fumbling to get is laptop out of his LV messenger bag and untie his shoes. I know where the good, and BAD, airport food can be found. I know exactly how to get to DFW's baggage claim when I get off the plane. I know what dress, sweater, and accessories to wear so I'm comfortable and never set off the metal detector.

Here's the good news: 8 flingts to Ft Worth down, 5 to go!!

Saying Goodbye

This past weekend was very surreal to me. We laid my grandfather to rest on Saturday. The day was crazy, sad, reverent, joyous and fun…yes, I said fun. My grandfather was a great man and had a great life, and we honored him accordingly.

Our day started at 5:30 am, so we could get dressed and pick Lily and Mai up from my in-laws’ house by 7:00. (They stayed there overnight so we wouldn’t have to take them to the Rosary.)

Quote of the day: we asked Lien if she wanted to go to the graveside service with me or go with Tai to take a nap at Honey’s house with her little sisters. Her response was, “I want to go to the graaaaaave yarrrrrrd.” (You must think in a spooky Halloween voice- remember, she’s 7.)

The funeral began at 10:00 am. My girls were remarkably behaved for a 1 ½ hour mass. I had to take Lily in the back for a little while because she was getting restless, not loud, and tried to crawl under all the pews. After Mai was scared by the Knights of Columbus during the processional, she sat on the floor most of the time playing with Otto’s prayer card.

After mass we had lunch. The bereavement group at the church did an amazing job preparing lunch for everyone. Since mass went long, we had about 30 minutes to feed over 100 people.

Then we went to the cemetery. It was truly the most beautiful service I’ve ever seen. The playing of taps and folding of the flag is chilling. My grandfather and his four brothers all served in WWII, and all came home. Otto was the first of the five brothers to pass away.

One of Otto’s instructions has always been that a keg would be placed on his casket so that family and friends could toast him. Well, we didn’t grant that request, but instead threw him a keg party. After the ceremony at the cemetery we returned to Otto and Honey’s house for a fish fry. Dozens of family and friends gathered to tell Otto stories, play horseshoes and raise their glasses in his memory… and eat some yummy fried fish and shrimp, and venison sausage.

We love you Otto. I hope we did you proud. Rest in Peace.

Goodbye to my Grandfather

Otto Hrncir

April 19, 1919- August 5, 2009

Sr. Kt. Otto Hrncir was born in Hallettsville, Texas on April 27, 1919. Otto was a star athlete at Sugar Land High School, lettering four years in five sports. He played softball for Imperial Sugar Co. Otto also played Army and semi-pro baseball, winning MVP honors.

Otto served as an artillery sergeant in the Second Infantry Division during WWII, landing at Normandy, through the Battle of the Bulge, to Pilsn, Czechoslovakia, where he served during the Occupation. He served in the VFW and American Legion.

After the war, Otto became a foreman for Tyler Fixtures in Waxahachie. In 1951, he took a position as sales manager for Joe Polichino’s beer company in Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties. Ten years later, he assumed the distributorship along with two partners. He was known as a formidable competitor in business. He taught his children what he had learned in war, business, and sports: that their ultimate adversaries, whom they must constantly strive to overcome, were themselves. Otto lived for his family. He worked long hours for many years, but always found time for his children’s baseball and football games, plays, and musical performances. He also treasured family trips to the beach and fishing holes.

Next to his family, Otto loved his Catholic Faith. His service to the Church included seventy years in the Knights of Columbus, with almost fifty of those at the fourth degree level. He served as past faithful navigator, and captain of the state champion drill team.

Family was the world to Otto. He is preceded in death by his parents John Paul and Millie (Sciba) Hrncir, sisters; Anita and Janie Jakubik, and several brothers and sisters in-law. He is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years; Gena Frances “Honey” Hrncir, brothers and sisters; Edwin Hrncir, Helmer Hrncir, Margaret Humpola, and Mickey Sebesta of Rosenberg, Leo Hrncir of Weimer, Guss Hrncir and wife Vinita of Amarillo, sons; Robert Hrncir and wife Loretta of Houston, Hal Hrncir and wife Debbie of West Columbia, daughter; Sharon Dennis of Nashville, Tenn., nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many step-grand, great and great-great grandchildren. He will be missed by all who knew him.

My baby is 7

Lien is 7 today- where has the time gone?

Lien got to choose anywhere she wanted to eat for dinner and she picked IHOP. After her pancake meal we went to the restroom to use the facilities and wash hands. Lien said, "I need to wash my hands first. I don't want to touch my nice clean butt with sticky hands."

Can't argue with that!

Lien opening her ipod. I don't have an ipod.