Party Time

There was an incident in my company parking lot yesterday.

An elderly female customer parked her car and was walking towards the cafeteria for a meal. A car pulled up next to her, slowed down and a female passenger started asking her for directions. As our customer approached the car, the female inside reached out and grabbed the lady's purse. With her arm caught in the car window, the car sped away dragging her to the ground. She suffered a broken arm, but thankfully she will be okay.

This happened at 8:30 a.m. Our outside video surveillance camera captured a good shot of the car and the criminals will probably be found.

This incident prompted a lengthy conversation with the staff in our office. One coworker said he carries a Taser for protection. I had never seen a Taser. He demonstrated how it worked. I think just the loud crackling noise it makes would be enough to scare off an attacker.

Another coworker said the new rage is a Taser party - just like Tupperware parties - where a host invites her friends to her home and a Taser rep sells her wares. Tasers are now sold in pretty colors and are available in different sizes and carrying cases.

It's sad these days when we have to be suspicious of strangers. We want to lend a helping hand to people, but incidents such as the one at my company tell us that maybe that is not always the safe thing to do. It also sad that hosting a party to sell weapons is a sign of the times.

*I won't buy a Taser. And I'll still talk to strangers. However, I will be more aware of situations and try to be as safe as possible.

*If I did, it would be pink.

An Imagination Celebration

I always marvel at how little ones, not afraid of what anyone else thinks, use their imagination while playing. For many children, once they become more aware of their peers, it seems the imagination is stifled--maybe because of fear of disapproval or worse being the cause of laughter. I don't think it happens to all--can't imagine someone like Robin Williams ever fearing this peer disapproval as a child and he certainly has never lost his imaginative streak! Josh, I believe, is going to be one of those kids who does his own thing , will always retain his imaginative mind, and will relish in the laughter of others.

Here he is after finding Grandpa's bike helmet and gloves and putting them on.

Oh, but it's so much more fun to pull the helmet down. Now he's a strong Power Ranger.

Unlike big brother, no waiting until age 10 to try any food item.

He'll try anything and usually enjoys everything that is offered.

I Must Obey

What other reason do I need?

Oh Sweet!

I'm starting on my new year's resolution of practicing my karaoke. It's been difficult trying to pick out just the right song, but I've finally found the one. I have the dress and I already know the dance moves.

Let me know what ya'll think of this classic by Brenda Lee.



Would Simon use the word dreadful if I tried this? I'll do it anyway.

Jacob Sayings of '07

Yes, he is cute. He loves chocolate, Transformers, cars, and saying things that make his Grandma and Grandpa double over in laughter. So as not to forget any of these, I keep a journal of the sayings and events that happen over the years. Josh is not quite as verbal yet so I don't have as much on him this year. These are just a few of the things Jacob said that we loved and/or laughed at in 2007.

After we go to story time, we usually take the boys to the park or a mall to play. In one of our high-end malls there is always a car parked in the center near Neiman's. Ever since he was able to talk, Jacob has called these cars Usually Cars. When asked why the answer is "Because they are usually only found in malls. (regular cars aren't allowed in the mall)

In early '07, Jill's father was diagnosed with colon cancer. Jill was explaining to Jake one night that Grandpa Larry was going to have surgery. Jake's response..."I did a pray to God for Grandpa last night." Those prays really do work...Grandpa Larry is in perfect health now!

One day I was cutting up celery and carrots and asked Jacob if he'd like some. He looked at me and said "I'll try those when I'm 10". He's never said that about chocolate!

After their Oct. trip to Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, I asked him if it was a long trip. His reply,
"Yes! There was a short cut but my mom and dad took the long cut"!

And to end this, one of our favorites.
We were taking the boys back up to Frisco with both in the back seat. Jacob was clap, clap, clapping away for about 5 minutes. He stopped then said "Grandma, Grandpa, I've just been clapping in Spanish." After the laughter subsided from the front seat, Grandpa said, "That's great, Jacob, next week I'll teach you to clap in French."

Back in the Saddle

Tim had an appointment with his orthopaedic doctor on Friday. Music to our ears - his leg is almost healed. He can throw away the walker and walk on his own. He can start driving again. After three months of depending on a walker and not being able to drive - this is obviously good news.

Will he ride a bike again? He gets this question frequently. The answer is yes, he will. We will go riding again come springtime, just like we've always done. I look forward to that time and I think he does too.

p.s. I won't really throw away the walker. I'll put it in the attic. I might need it when I turn 90.

Doggone It

I can't remember this picture being taken or the dog. Peggy had commented in a previous post asking if we had had a dog named Candy. Is this Candy Barr? And do you think the dog is a Boxer? The picture was not dated but I would guess 1958-59. Notice also the glove on Dad's left hand. What do you think he's up to? I have to laugh at the hair (on me). When I am desperate for a hair cut, I still have the bulky right side and deep waves that show up when my hair is the pictured length.

First Ice

Today is the first winter weather "event" for our area. Our dogwoods are icy but they don't mind a bit. They'll blossom beautifully come spring.

Look here to read my friend's very humorous account of local citizen reactions to weather such as this.

Why I Love To Shop

I have been looking for a new coffee creamer. I fell in love with this one because it is just so darn clever. The cow's back is open so the cream can be poured in. To pour into your coffee, simply lift her tail, point her head down and out comes the cream through her mouth. Cute! This particular one sells for $28 at Williams-Sonoma. It is porcelain and is made in France.

This one I found at Target. On-line it sells for $9.99. In the store it sells for $3.99. I bought it today on sale for $2.78. It is porcelain and is made in China. Although the two images look a little different, these cows are twins.

Everyone is invited to my home for coffee, served with sugar and a cute pouring of cream. Happy Tuesday!

Waiting

This afternoon I was out running errands. I came home around 4 pm and pulled up in the driveway. There he was again. The solid black cat sitting in our driveway. A friend of Sonny's. They were buddies for a long time and hung out together. They would sit next to each other in the driveway or near the bushes - very content in each others company.

I know the black cat is looking for Sonny - he's wondering what happened to his friend. I walked over to him and bent down and said "Sonny is not here anymore - he went away because he was old and sick." He just looked at me and didn't really respond one way or another. I scratched his neck for a minute. He continued to sit and I went in the house.

In looking at the calendar I see that it has been two months today since Sonny left us. It is moments like this when I feel so sad and miss the little guy. It seems I am not the only one that misses him.

"Ralphie"

Here is the second best thing that happened to me during this College Bowl season. The Buffaloes came to town to play the Crimson Tide and I went to a pep rally the night before the game to get my picture with "Ralphie". Our newspaper said she has Rock Star status up in Boulder, so I had to go see her. When she led the team on the field, I was yelling for her the whole time, much to the embarrassment of my kids. This was her last game as she is retiring after 10 years.

BCS Days With The Boys

Mike, Jill, and Jill's parents attended the BCS game in New Orleans Monday and we kept Jacob and Josh for several days. Although the game did not turn out like Jill's side of the family (Ohio State Alumna) would have liked, I'm sure they had a good time visiting the city and being there in the Super Dome to watch the game. Meanwhile back at the home front, Grandma and Grandpa had lots of fun with the boys.


Saturday we took the train with Missy and went downtown to eat lunch. The boys loved looking out the window at all the sights. We passed by Presbyterian Hospital where Michael was born--Jake said he remembered that event! They especially liked it when the train went into the dark tunnel and went fast, fast, fast!

We raked the leaves in our front yard and a couple of little ones hid from us.

Playing at the park is always a #1 fun activity for Jacob and Josh--especially when Grandpa joins in the fun.

And playing in the backyard is fun too when you bring your bears and other friends out to play.

Needless to say we had a wonderful time with our grandsons but as the saying goes we know why God gives them to us when we're younger!

Not Just For Kids

Today my friend Jane and I went to the local Build a Bear Workshop. She had never been and wanted to see what all the fun was about. She chose to build the classic light brown teddy bear. She wanted to dress him as a cowboy because last year she spent a week in Wyoming on a real cowboy ranch. While in Wyoming she decided to let her appendix rupture and had to have emergency surgery. Never a dull moment with Jane.

She has finished outfitting her bear and is at the computer creating the birth certificate. She named him Cody. He will have to share Jane with a german
shepherd, Niko. Niko is live, not stuffed, and is the sweetest dog in town.

Update 11:00pm: Here is Forrest, Melanie's bear that she built a couple of years ago when I was visiting. Sydney, their lab, likes to chew anything stuffed, so these two are not permitted in the same room. You can see from his shirt that Forrest is a Redskins fan.

In Shape For '08

Peggy's New Year's resolutions:

• drink 2 extra cups of coffee each morning
• eat more M & M's while watching TV
• salt generously and use real butter at mealtime
• use whole milk on Froot Loops
• learn how to deep fry candy bars
• super size orders at fast food restaurants
• oversleep 5 mornings a week instead of 3
• exercise regularly once every other week
• sharpen skills in body language interpretation
• practice karaoke for next family reunion

Happy 2008!