2015 - August 1st - Celebrating Eric's Birthday

Kendall & Jordan's summertime stay has ended and we drove to Johnny Reb's Southern Roadhouse BBQ Restaurant in Orange to meet up with Eric, Shirley and the rest of the kids to celebrate Eric's Birthday. It was a great location choice with marvelous food for us all. The family enjoyed delicious meals while having great interaction with all.
Everyone had their own favorites from the wide assortment offered at Johnny Rebs'. This has been a long established local restaurant based out of Long Beach and it is always great to also support our local independent owners. Johnny Rebs' was established in 1984, with the good things about the South, irrespective of how near or far away the small towns and farmlands of North Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. As the South, Johnny Rebs’ is more than just a place – it’s a region of the mind, a place in the heart. It is home away from home for people who have lived in the South, and the Southern feeling for those who have never been: an upbeat & casual, authentic roadhouse where you're invited to bring the whole family to “sit a spell”. Johnny Rebs' say "Like your mom, our biggest concern is that you clean your plate."
                   
                   
                   
                   
                               
Gift-wise, it was a special year from Dad & Mom. I have had in one of my drawers for many, many years my Grandpa Facey's railroad pocket watch. My Dad had written a note and enclosed it in a plastic pouch which said "Grandpa Facey's Watch for Larry". Over all of these years, I never did anything with it and just left it in my drawer. I decided it was time to pass this treasure on. I found a Master Watchsmith to clean and get the watch running. I found out that it is an antique vintage 1914 Hamilton 24 Jewel Gold Railroad Pocket Watch ... yes, now 101 years old! These were the most precise watches made for accuracy. Over the years, they have really appreciated in value and are sought after by collectors. In 1912 the first series of pocket watches earned the title of “The watch of Railroad accuracy”. During that period accidents were all too common due to the fact that various railroads worked with over 50 different “times” – so Hamilton set out to deliver accurate watches to the railroad community. In 1914 Hamilton gained the prestigious rank of supplier to the US Armed Forces. There is a lot of very interesting reading on-line. We gave Eric the watch, the notes and a couple of photos of his Great Grandfather, Ernest Albert Facey Sr. The watch still has on it the braided leather band to hang from a belt-loop. We hope that Eric has many years of happiness from this family heirloom and that it may be passed down from generation to generation in the future.
                To see the complete photo album, click this link.