If you know me, you know I love reality television; it's my one vice.
Well, I have been watching a documentary on PBS for the last two nights that I LOVE! It's called Carrier, and it's sort of like a reality show (actually it made me think about the evolution of reality tv...just from where it all came).
It's all about the U.S.S. Nimmitz, and it is a fascinating look at what life is like on deployment for six months.
Over 5,000 people are on the ship, and it has stores, gyms, barbershops, etc, definitely like a floating (and moving) city.
The show is a 12-part series, and I have watched the first four. I love how it shows the Navy and the Marines, and what daily life and jobs are really like.
They also have shared life at port and some incredible cities that they have come into.
Cody will be leaving on a Military Expedition Unit (MEU) in January, where he ride one such carrier and his company will be dropped off in various places (Japan, Australia, Afghanistan, etc.) to train for a month at a time.
I especially have enjoyed watching the aircrafts take off and land on the carrier. My favorite group of pilots, of course, is the Red Devils of the Marines.
I feel dumb that I did not know the Marines had their own pilots!
I am even thinking about buying this series and sending it to Cody. And, just last night I noticed that Mel Gibson is an executive producer of the project.
If you have a chance to watch it, do!
2008/04/29
2008/04/26
Apple Blossom, BABY!
I love Apple Blossom in Wenatchee. I have quite a history with it, and it just holds a special place in my heart.
I love how the hills around Wenatchee blossom with all the apple trees in bloom; it really is gorgeous.
My Apple Blossom experiences: In high school, we would drive down from Oroville and cruise. Cruising was what it was all about! It was back in the hold days when cruising took forever; you would cruise a mile in an hour because everyone cruised the avenue which at the time was two way traffic (now, it's been change on cruising nights to one way only).
Then my first official Apple Blossom of living down there was during my senior year. However, I missed ALL the festivities because Cody was born that day!
I won't ever forget the princesses (Rosie, Amy and Erin) coming to visit me in the hospital when I was in labor. They came directly from the parade, still in their beautiful gowns.
That was always something I went to watch, the royalty selection, every year when I lived down in the valley. It was always a fun pageant.
I personally think that the Apple Blossom parade is one of the best parades around (Of course, I love the Lilac torchlight parade in Spokane, too.), and I have lost count of how many times that I have been.
I remember the first time we took my step-daughter, and she was three and she just boogied to every band that came by!
I like the Kiddie Apple Blossom weekend (which is happening this weekend), but not nearly as much as what happens next weekend!
I love the Classy Chassis parade of old cars in East Wenatchee, and we usually go and check them out up close on Saturday after we have spent most of the day over in Wenatchee.
Of course, you can't go to Apple Blossom and not check out the food fair and crafts at the courthouse lawn. Then, you add in the carnival down at River Front, and you are one exhausted bunch of people!
When I think of Apple Blossom, I remember the year that the boys ran in the fun run, and it was Cody's birthday. TOO cute!
Or, how about the many times we road to the parade and then sat on the fire truck to watch it all.
I can't wait to go next weekend; I usually see lots of people that I love and know, so it's a fun day! Hopefully the weather will be super nice then, too!
I love this time of the year!
I love how the hills around Wenatchee blossom with all the apple trees in bloom; it really is gorgeous.
My Apple Blossom experiences: In high school, we would drive down from Oroville and cruise. Cruising was what it was all about! It was back in the hold days when cruising took forever; you would cruise a mile in an hour because everyone cruised the avenue which at the time was two way traffic (now, it's been change on cruising nights to one way only).
Then my first official Apple Blossom of living down there was during my senior year. However, I missed ALL the festivities because Cody was born that day!
I won't ever forget the princesses (Rosie, Amy and Erin) coming to visit me in the hospital when I was in labor. They came directly from the parade, still in their beautiful gowns.
That was always something I went to watch, the royalty selection, every year when I lived down in the valley. It was always a fun pageant.
I personally think that the Apple Blossom parade is one of the best parades around (Of course, I love the Lilac torchlight parade in Spokane, too.), and I have lost count of how many times that I have been.
I remember the first time we took my step-daughter, and she was three and she just boogied to every band that came by!
I like the Kiddie Apple Blossom weekend (which is happening this weekend), but not nearly as much as what happens next weekend!
I love the Classy Chassis parade of old cars in East Wenatchee, and we usually go and check them out up close on Saturday after we have spent most of the day over in Wenatchee.
Of course, you can't go to Apple Blossom and not check out the food fair and crafts at the courthouse lawn. Then, you add in the carnival down at River Front, and you are one exhausted bunch of people!
When I think of Apple Blossom, I remember the year that the boys ran in the fun run, and it was Cody's birthday. TOO cute!
Or, how about the many times we road to the parade and then sat on the fire truck to watch it all.
I can't wait to go next weekend; I usually see lots of people that I love and know, so it's a fun day! Hopefully the weather will be super nice then, too!
I love this time of the year!
2008/04/22
Economic Stimulus Check
I just found out that you can actually see what the economic stimulus check schedule is, and so I checked out when my check will be sent.
Turns out not until the middle of July, but what's nice about that is that it will be right around our vacation, so in the end, it's good timing.
I could have it electronically deposited, but then I will get it in May, and I would rather save it and use it for the summer.
You can check out the schedule, too, at http://www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=180250,00.html.
Turns out not until the middle of July, but what's nice about that is that it will be right around our vacation, so in the end, it's good timing.
I could have it electronically deposited, but then I will get it in May, and I would rather save it and use it for the summer.
You can check out the schedule, too, at http://www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=180250,00.html.
P.S.
One of my friends sent me an e-mail and reminded me that I also recycle my clothes! This is true! I have lost weight, and I bundled up a LARGE bag of clothes that I gave away!
Wear GREEN today!
Happy Earth Day! We have been celebrating this day for just a little longer than I have been around!
It all started back in 1970 with Senator Gaylord Nelson. He realized what a need we had on a bigger level to save our planet.
What's strange to me is that really I don't remember much about Earth Day or environmental issues as I was growing up.
In my house we did recycle cans, and my parents made us turn everything off when we weren't using it, but I always thought that was more about money than about Earth.
I am glad to see that more and more people are becoming conscientious about planet issues.
When I was in college I took an environmental science class that blew me away. I learned way more than I wanted, mostly because I felt helpless in fixing the issues/problems.
I love the Fox Network's slogan, Green it, Mean it. They have some good tips and information at their site: http://www.fox.com/earthday/.
It makes me think about how we have Thanksgiving once a year, how we think about all the things for which we are thankful, and how I actually serve Thanksgiving dinner at least twice a year and sometimes three or four times, with all the trimmings and family!
Thanksgiving is a day to remind us that every day we should be thankful, as is Earth Day in my opinion.
If you have noticed, Wal*Mart has some great commercials on lately about what to buy and if all 5 gazillion of us Wal*Mart customers did...and their slogan is Save Money. Live Better.
Another ad on lately often using bi-partisan speakers, the We Solve It organization is also looking to find more people to get involved and help become the solution. Their site is www.wecansolveit.org.
I watched a great show Human Footprint on one of my favorite tv channels, National Geographic. Thankfully, you can also learn all about it on their site at http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/human-footprint/.
What I like about this site is that you can actually figure out your carbon footprint. Try the little test. In addition, they give you all sorts of recyling ideas.
To close, I am going to talk about things I do, some I have for a long time, others are new in my life. This week I am recycling plastic bottles at our school. I always recycle paper at school, and I even use one-sided paper over (using the free backside). I recycle newspapers. I give people my magazines that I buy, and often books, too. I walk to work every other week. I turn off my computer each night. I changed my lightbulbs to the energy efficient ones (you can buy them REALLY cheaply at the PUD). I turn off the water when I brush my teeth.
I know I could do lots more, and I am going to start thinking more seriously about it. Also, I WISH we had more access to recycling here in our little valley.
Happy Earth Day to you!
It all started back in 1970 with Senator Gaylord Nelson. He realized what a need we had on a bigger level to save our planet.
What's strange to me is that really I don't remember much about Earth Day or environmental issues as I was growing up.
In my house we did recycle cans, and my parents made us turn everything off when we weren't using it, but I always thought that was more about money than about Earth.
I am glad to see that more and more people are becoming conscientious about planet issues.
When I was in college I took an environmental science class that blew me away. I learned way more than I wanted, mostly because I felt helpless in fixing the issues/problems.
I love the Fox Network's slogan, Green it, Mean it. They have some good tips and information at their site: http://www.fox.com/earthday/.
It makes me think about how we have Thanksgiving once a year, how we think about all the things for which we are thankful, and how I actually serve Thanksgiving dinner at least twice a year and sometimes three or four times, with all the trimmings and family!
Thanksgiving is a day to remind us that every day we should be thankful, as is Earth Day in my opinion.
If you have noticed, Wal*Mart has some great commercials on lately about what to buy and if all 5 gazillion of us Wal*Mart customers did...and their slogan is Save Money. Live Better.
Another ad on lately often using bi-partisan speakers, the We Solve It organization is also looking to find more people to get involved and help become the solution. Their site is www.wecansolveit.org.
I watched a great show Human Footprint on one of my favorite tv channels, National Geographic. Thankfully, you can also learn all about it on their site at http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/human-footprint/.
What I like about this site is that you can actually figure out your carbon footprint. Try the little test. In addition, they give you all sorts of recyling ideas.
To close, I am going to talk about things I do, some I have for a long time, others are new in my life. This week I am recycling plastic bottles at our school. I always recycle paper at school, and I even use one-sided paper over (using the free backside). I recycle newspapers. I give people my magazines that I buy, and often books, too. I walk to work every other week. I turn off my computer each night. I changed my lightbulbs to the energy efficient ones (you can buy them REALLY cheaply at the PUD). I turn off the water when I brush my teeth.
I know I could do lots more, and I am going to start thinking more seriously about it. Also, I WISH we had more access to recycling here in our little valley.
Happy Earth Day to you!
2008/04/20
Will summer EVER come?
What bizare weather! Yesterday at the double header baseball game in Okanogan, we had snow, then intense sunshine, and ended with it windy and cold.
Our little one is fighting a cold, and I am sure it's related to all of this weather and its fickle changes.
I just want the warm weather to come and stay.
On the literally bright side of things, I LOVE the random lupines that have sprung up in my yard, speaking of which we need to mow.
To make our own brightness in my house, I made the neatest thing on the kitchen door that goes to the cellar.
I did it to make me smile, and I knew my step-daughter would LOVE it! I made a chalkboard door.
I painted the door bright yellow, and then in the middle there is a big space that I used that spray-on chalkboard.
I dedicated it and dated it to my G-pa because I had the stuff for weeks, and the day he passed away I decided to make it.
My little one loves it. She draws on it, and the last time she played with it, she discovered that she could cover her hands in chalk and then leave little handprints! TOO CUTE!
Every time I walk into the kitchen I just smile and feel warm inside. I will upload a pic later!
Speaking of our little one, she has been so much fun searching for frogs! We can hear them all around, and so we go frog hunting, and it cracks me up!
Bring on the sun, bring on the flowers, bring on the frogs, bring it all on!
Our little one is fighting a cold, and I am sure it's related to all of this weather and its fickle changes.
I just want the warm weather to come and stay.
On the literally bright side of things, I LOVE the random lupines that have sprung up in my yard, speaking of which we need to mow.
To make our own brightness in my house, I made the neatest thing on the kitchen door that goes to the cellar.
I did it to make me smile, and I knew my step-daughter would LOVE it! I made a chalkboard door.
I painted the door bright yellow, and then in the middle there is a big space that I used that spray-on chalkboard.
I dedicated it and dated it to my G-pa because I had the stuff for weeks, and the day he passed away I decided to make it.
My little one loves it. She draws on it, and the last time she played with it, she discovered that she could cover her hands in chalk and then leave little handprints! TOO CUTE!
Every time I walk into the kitchen I just smile and feel warm inside. I will upload a pic later!
Speaking of our little one, she has been so much fun searching for frogs! We can hear them all around, and so we go frog hunting, and it cracks me up!
Bring on the sun, bring on the flowers, bring on the frogs, bring it all on!
2008/04/18
Starbucks!
Today Starbucks opened in Omak. I am in the camp that I am good with that. I enjoy the ambiance of the place, and the coffee is OK.
I must say that I have local coffee stands that I like more. I love the Roadhouse Rooster, Pumphouse, and 2nd Street Espresso in Okanogan.
I like the people that work at those places, and the coffee is EXCELLENT. But, they don't have sit down areas available; they are not coffee houses.
I know we have a couple of quasi-sit down coffee places in town, but they aren't open on Sundays, and their focus is more about their retail than coffee customers sitting down and just hanging out.
I have actually been buying my coffee this year from the Bulldog Barista. A senior at OHS opened the stand in our school!!
So, I was the first paying customer this morning to welcome Starbucks to town. I was at their door at 4:55 waiting for them to open at 5:30. I actually wasn't alone.
There was a threesome that drove down from Oroville, and they were there when I drove up, but they decided they wanted to wait in their warm car, and also jump over to McDonald's for breakfast, so they lost their place in line.
I don't plan on frequenting Starbucks on a daily basis, as I will continue to support the local coffee stands.
Instead I plan on hitting Starbucks maybe once a week with a girlfriend. Yeah!
I must say that I have local coffee stands that I like more. I love the Roadhouse Rooster, Pumphouse, and 2nd Street Espresso in Okanogan.
I like the people that work at those places, and the coffee is EXCELLENT. But, they don't have sit down areas available; they are not coffee houses.
I know we have a couple of quasi-sit down coffee places in town, but they aren't open on Sundays, and their focus is more about their retail than coffee customers sitting down and just hanging out.
I have actually been buying my coffee this year from the Bulldog Barista. A senior at OHS opened the stand in our school!!
So, I was the first paying customer this morning to welcome Starbucks to town. I was at their door at 4:55 waiting for them to open at 5:30. I actually wasn't alone.
There was a threesome that drove down from Oroville, and they were there when I drove up, but they decided they wanted to wait in their warm car, and also jump over to McDonald's for breakfast, so they lost their place in line.
I don't plan on frequenting Starbucks on a daily basis, as I will continue to support the local coffee stands.
Instead I plan on hitting Starbucks maybe once a week with a girlfriend. Yeah!
I am the people
As you know, yesterday I was off for jury duty. I had mixed feelings, and after the experience, I sort of still do.
I was, in fact, selected to sit on the jury. Since it was a District Court case, there were only six people on the jury.
The selection process took a couple of hours, and then the trial began. We listened to the opening statement of the prosecution and the testimony from one witness, and then we had a 90-minute lunch break. (I went home, since I live so close to the courthouse.)
Then we returned, listened to the next witness for the prosecution, after which the defense presented its opening argument and called the defendant to the stand.
Then both sides shared their closing statements, and we headed in for deliberation.
We had clear instructions and we talked about everything, but in the end, we had a hung jury.
After 6 p.m., we were finally excused, and now the prosecution has to decide if it will try the case again or not.
I was kind of disappointed that it did not end in a specific verdict. And, surprisingly, I was exhausted at the end of the day.
I loved Judge Edwards. He was kind, fair, intelligent and funny. He told all the prospective jurors at the beginning of the day all about the history of jury trials, and since I am a history buff, I found this all fascinating.
But, he really stressed the importance of our civic duty and the right for people to be tried by their peers.
He used part of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address to remind us of the process, and how it's of the people, by the people, for the people. (That's a lot of prepositions!)
He also shared the famous Shakespeare quotation from Henry VI : "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers". - (Act IV, Scene II).
What I really liked is that he actually explained the quotation and how it was not intended to be the big joke that people have taken it as. That if you actually read the play (which I did in college), then you know that it's about the idea that in order to kill LAW one would have to kill all the lawyers. In order to bring about anarchy, you would have to do away with all those that uphold the law.
Overall, it was a good experience, I just wish we would've had a unianimous verdict.
I was, in fact, selected to sit on the jury. Since it was a District Court case, there were only six people on the jury.
The selection process took a couple of hours, and then the trial began. We listened to the opening statement of the prosecution and the testimony from one witness, and then we had a 90-minute lunch break. (I went home, since I live so close to the courthouse.)
Then we returned, listened to the next witness for the prosecution, after which the defense presented its opening argument and called the defendant to the stand.
Then both sides shared their closing statements, and we headed in for deliberation.
We had clear instructions and we talked about everything, but in the end, we had a hung jury.
After 6 p.m., we were finally excused, and now the prosecution has to decide if it will try the case again or not.
I was kind of disappointed that it did not end in a specific verdict. And, surprisingly, I was exhausted at the end of the day.
I loved Judge Edwards. He was kind, fair, intelligent and funny. He told all the prospective jurors at the beginning of the day all about the history of jury trials, and since I am a history buff, I found this all fascinating.
But, he really stressed the importance of our civic duty and the right for people to be tried by their peers.
He used part of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address to remind us of the process, and how it's of the people, by the people, for the people. (That's a lot of prepositions!)
He also shared the famous Shakespeare quotation from Henry VI : "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers". - (Act IV, Scene II).
What I really liked is that he actually explained the quotation and how it was not intended to be the big joke that people have taken it as. That if you actually read the play (which I did in college), then you know that it's about the idea that in order to kill LAW one would have to kill all the lawyers. In order to bring about anarchy, you would have to do away with all those that uphold the law.
Overall, it was a good experience, I just wish we would've had a unianimous verdict.
2008/04/17
Pick me, pick me!
I have jury duty today. I have mixed feelings about it. I don't want to go, but I do want to go.
I am fascinated with the world of law, and originally I thought I wanted to be a lawyer. That might still be my next job, who knows?
I also believe in my civic duty, and I have been into politics my entire life.
But, I wish I could do jury duty in the summer. I am so busy right now, and I had to write out lesson plans for my classes for several days now, but those other days were cancelled. Today is the first day this week that we have to report to the courthouse.
I have never had jury duty before, so it will be interesting to see if I am actually selected.
I am fascinated with the world of law, and originally I thought I wanted to be a lawyer. That might still be my next job, who knows?
I also believe in my civic duty, and I have been into politics my entire life.
But, I wish I could do jury duty in the summer. I am so busy right now, and I had to write out lesson plans for my classes for several days now, but those other days were cancelled. Today is the first day this week that we have to report to the courthouse.
I have never had jury duty before, so it will be interesting to see if I am actually selected.
2008/04/14
My kinda flick!
Last night Rick, Jordie and I watched Dan In Real Life starring Steve Carell.
Of course, so far I have loved everything he has been in, and this movie was no exception!
The boys even liked the movie, and I would say it was definitely more on the side of chick flick, and with these boys, chick flicks are a hard sale!
What I loved about the movie is the balance of comedy and drama, and it had the exact right amount of quirky moments and characters.
A must rent! I am also excited because Juno comes out tomorrow. I wanted to see it in the theater, and I just didn't make it. I know I can relate to this movie, so I look forward to watching it this upcoming weekend.
Of course, so far I have loved everything he has been in, and this movie was no exception!
The boys even liked the movie, and I would say it was definitely more on the side of chick flick, and with these boys, chick flicks are a hard sale!
What I loved about the movie is the balance of comedy and drama, and it had the exact right amount of quirky moments and characters.
A must rent! I am also excited because Juno comes out tomorrow. I wanted to see it in the theater, and I just didn't make it. I know I can relate to this movie, so I look forward to watching it this upcoming weekend.
2008/04/11
Just the right movie!
Movies lately...Well, tonight Rick and I went to see Leatherbacks, and we both hands down LOVED it! It is one of the best movies I have watched in a long time. Maybe we were both just in the right mood, and so it struck the right chord, I don't know. But, it was just the right movie for the right now.
I love history. I love football. (And, to mention that I do think George Clooney is dashingly handsome) All of that pretty much makes the movie a good one on my list.
We also have watched a few other videos lately. One such movie was actually a book that I read, and then a book that my boys and I listened to on tape. I must say that it made a superb transition to the screen, Into the Wild.
Then believe it or not we rented Alvin and the Chipmunks, so I said for my step-daughter, but we watched it last Sunday (the day my G-Pa passed away), and it was just the right movie for the day. Very cute.
Rick and I were talking about how since Alvin and the Chipmunks has been around for 50 years, that today's generation of kids aren't even aware of the cartoon version!! CRAZY!
A couple of weeks ago we also watched Idiocracy. I liked this movie a lot because I appreciate the satire of it all!
The only movie that we watched that I did not particularly like was Southland Tales. Maybe it's because it is a science fiction/fantasy type of movie. I understood the basic concept of the movie, the whole time dimension and travel bit, but I didn't really get the movie as a whole. Sort of like when it was over, I was wondering WHY someone would make it. There are some big names in it, but that didn't make it that much better, and there were SOME interesting and funny parts in it.
We also have a couple of movies sitting by the DVD right now, that I am guessing that we will catch in the next couple of days: Sweeney Todd, There Will Be Blood, and Dan In Real Life.
I love movies.
I love history. I love football. (And, to mention that I do think George Clooney is dashingly handsome) All of that pretty much makes the movie a good one on my list.
We also have watched a few other videos lately. One such movie was actually a book that I read, and then a book that my boys and I listened to on tape. I must say that it made a superb transition to the screen, Into the Wild.
Then believe it or not we rented Alvin and the Chipmunks, so I said for my step-daughter, but we watched it last Sunday (the day my G-Pa passed away), and it was just the right movie for the day. Very cute.
Rick and I were talking about how since Alvin and the Chipmunks has been around for 50 years, that today's generation of kids aren't even aware of the cartoon version!! CRAZY!
A couple of weeks ago we also watched Idiocracy. I liked this movie a lot because I appreciate the satire of it all!
The only movie that we watched that I did not particularly like was Southland Tales. Maybe it's because it is a science fiction/fantasy type of movie. I understood the basic concept of the movie, the whole time dimension and travel bit, but I didn't really get the movie as a whole. Sort of like when it was over, I was wondering WHY someone would make it. There are some big names in it, but that didn't make it that much better, and there were SOME interesting and funny parts in it.
We also have a couple of movies sitting by the DVD right now, that I am guessing that we will catch in the next couple of days: Sweeney Todd, There Will Be Blood, and Dan In Real Life.
I love movies.
2008/04/10
Post Secret
Sending out a secret, what a cool idea! I had a fellow teacher and friend share with me this book, and I went and found it at Hastings. There are several books, and I read the book that included postcards from teenagers while I sat on the floor in the bookstore.
The one I read: http://www.amazon.com/My-Secret-PostSecret-Book-Postsecret/dp/0061196681/ref=pd_bbs_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207943735&sr=8-4
Here’s the premise: This guy had a dream (literal dream) to start this project, and when he awoke he began journey. He left self-addressed postcards all over telling people to send him their secrets. Little did he know…
This is such a cool concept. Giving away a secret…we all have them! I really liked the creative postcards that people made. I am all about it. I have a perfect idea of what I want to send!
You can totally check it out online. They have all sorts of things going on. First, look at this: http://www.postsecretcommunity.com/. I especially like the FAQ section, as far as understanding the project. Also, you can go to this site to see postcards that are updated weekly: http://www.postsecretcommunity.com/.
Some secrets are heartbreaking. Some make you laugh. Some you can relate to entirely.
Today was my G-Pa's funeral...
My G-Pa: I realize many people have not had any relationship with a grandparent. I feel very fortunate to have had an incredibly close one with my grandfather.
The very first thing you need to know about my grandpa is that I couldn’t call him Grandpa when I was little, so I resorted to Pa. And, that stuck. I always called him that, and my great-grandpa, well, I called him Deny Pa (because his name was Deny), and that also stuck. Many of our family members called them both those names that I lovingly gave them.
My Pa was the one human being in this world who loved me absolutely unconditionally. He never in his entire life judged me or anything that I did. He was such a wise soul in that he always could read between the lines and find the heart of the matter of everything.
I lived with him when I was very young, four-years-old, and those are some of my happiest moments in my life. I remember when he wanted me to stop sucking my finger, and so he told me that I had to first suck my big toe for a week, and then I could suck my finger. Of course, I couldn’t suck my big toe, but boy he tried to convince me that I could and should.
My grandparents had an old lemon tree on the edge of their yard, and I remember how badly I wanted to pick the fruit. Of course, they did not want me to pick it too early, so once again my Pa devised a way to get me to do what he wanted. He told me there were snakes that lived under the tree, so I was too scared to go out there and pick any of the lemons. Of course, this semi-backfired on him because when it really was OK, I still wouldn’t go near that tree!
I have fond memories of my Pa coming out and visiting us when we were young kids and lived in California. Truly he was bigger than life, a big Texan cowboy, truly. He wore his cowboy hat and stood over six feet tall. I cherished every moment we had to spend with him. He always had the best stories to tell, and he was such a jokester.
In high school, I spent an entire summer with my Pa down in Texas. That is one of my best summers ever. We had lots of fun on all sorts of adventures.
We fished in the International Channel in the Gulf of Mexico. I freaked out when I saw what I thought were sharks, but ended up being a pod of dolphins. We even spent the night out on the boat. That was such a fun trip.
Pa had saved all of his change for years in a coffee can, and he gave it all to me so long as I rolled it all. It took forever, and I think I ended up with almost three hundred dollars for spending money that summer.
We also always made our own Peanut Buster Parfaits every single night. It was our treat once dinner and chores were done.
Then, the following year I had Cody. I will never forget when my Pa called me at the hospital. He was so proud of me, and he said, “Trisha, you were the first to make me grand and now you made me great!”
Several years ago, the boys and I took a road trip to Texas. By far, hands down, and any other cliché you care to insert here, that was the BEST trip and time of my life. The boys echo that sentiment, as well.
Our trip was an adventure that I will share with you in another blog on another day. But, the destination, Texas and Pa, was surely the highlight.
We stayed with him at Fish Camp, which meant lots of fishing, shooting snakes, capturing tarantulas, riding three-wheelers, driving around, swimming, all sorts of adventures that my boys (and me) cherish!! That doesn’t even count all the yummy food we ate, as my Pa is one of the best cooks and BBQers on the planet. You haven’t eaten anything until you have tried his homemade deep-fried catfish!
I have learned so many lessons from my Pa. I have learned to love and be loved unconditionally. I have learned to laugh and make others laugh. I have learned to live a life without regret and without boundaries (like age or gender) holding me back. Simply I have learned. I will miss him so much.
The very first thing you need to know about my grandpa is that I couldn’t call him Grandpa when I was little, so I resorted to Pa. And, that stuck. I always called him that, and my great-grandpa, well, I called him Deny Pa (because his name was Deny), and that also stuck. Many of our family members called them both those names that I lovingly gave them.
My Pa was the one human being in this world who loved me absolutely unconditionally. He never in his entire life judged me or anything that I did. He was such a wise soul in that he always could read between the lines and find the heart of the matter of everything.
I lived with him when I was very young, four-years-old, and those are some of my happiest moments in my life. I remember when he wanted me to stop sucking my finger, and so he told me that I had to first suck my big toe for a week, and then I could suck my finger. Of course, I couldn’t suck my big toe, but boy he tried to convince me that I could and should.
My grandparents had an old lemon tree on the edge of their yard, and I remember how badly I wanted to pick the fruit. Of course, they did not want me to pick it too early, so once again my Pa devised a way to get me to do what he wanted. He told me there were snakes that lived under the tree, so I was too scared to go out there and pick any of the lemons. Of course, this semi-backfired on him because when it really was OK, I still wouldn’t go near that tree!
I have fond memories of my Pa coming out and visiting us when we were young kids and lived in California. Truly he was bigger than life, a big Texan cowboy, truly. He wore his cowboy hat and stood over six feet tall. I cherished every moment we had to spend with him. He always had the best stories to tell, and he was such a jokester.
In high school, I spent an entire summer with my Pa down in Texas. That is one of my best summers ever. We had lots of fun on all sorts of adventures.
We fished in the International Channel in the Gulf of Mexico. I freaked out when I saw what I thought were sharks, but ended up being a pod of dolphins. We even spent the night out on the boat. That was such a fun trip.
Pa had saved all of his change for years in a coffee can, and he gave it all to me so long as I rolled it all. It took forever, and I think I ended up with almost three hundred dollars for spending money that summer.
We also always made our own Peanut Buster Parfaits every single night. It was our treat once dinner and chores were done.
Then, the following year I had Cody. I will never forget when my Pa called me at the hospital. He was so proud of me, and he said, “Trisha, you were the first to make me grand and now you made me great!”
Several years ago, the boys and I took a road trip to Texas. By far, hands down, and any other cliché you care to insert here, that was the BEST trip and time of my life. The boys echo that sentiment, as well.
Our trip was an adventure that I will share with you in another blog on another day. But, the destination, Texas and Pa, was surely the highlight.
We stayed with him at Fish Camp, which meant lots of fishing, shooting snakes, capturing tarantulas, riding three-wheelers, driving around, swimming, all sorts of adventures that my boys (and me) cherish!! That doesn’t even count all the yummy food we ate, as my Pa is one of the best cooks and BBQers on the planet. You haven’t eaten anything until you have tried his homemade deep-fried catfish!
I have learned so many lessons from my Pa. I have learned to love and be loved unconditionally. I have learned to laugh and make others laugh. I have learned to live a life without regret and without boundaries (like age or gender) holding me back. Simply I have learned. I will miss him so much.
2008/04/03
What a break!
It's been a bit of an emotional roller coaster with everything going on with my G-Pa. He's still in ICU, and it doesn't look good. I am going to write more about him soon. He is an incredible man, and I wish I was with him right now, but at the same time, I am glad I am not because I know I couldn't handle the situation he is in right now.
I decided to make the best of this break, and so my step-daughter and I have been rather busy.
We planted out garden inside (72 little pods of various goodies). She wrote all the markers, and pretty much did everything with just a little assistance here and there. I can't wait until we can transplant everything outside. I think we are going to try the apple bin gardening to keep out all of the marmits.
The other HUGE thing we did these last couple of days is that I broke out the MAGIC shoe box. This is a tradition in my family.
What was so cute about this is what my step-daughter thought might happen. She imagined that she would put her shoe in the box and magically it would tie it for her! LOL!
Instead it's a simple shoe box with a shoe string set up through the top, and I taught her how to tie her shoe!!! I did the same thing with both my boys when they were the same age, and they, too, had immediate success.
You should've seen how stinking proud she was of herself! Then it becomes kind of a game, and she practices and practices, so the tying even becomes more tight.
She asked me if she could take her magic shoe box to school, so she can teach all her friends how to tie their shoes!
It's so much fun to watch kids traverse milestones of independence, and especially to see just how proud they are of themselves! She has shown pretty much everybody and anybody her new skill.
Then yesterday we went to have our pedicures. I had a gift certificate, and so I decided to head in. This was my step-daughter's first pedicure, and BOY she loved it!! She told me that she can't wait to go again, and wanted to know if we go as soon as the nail polish disappears on her little toes...UH-oh! I may have created a DIVA in the making! LOL!
Well, it's definitely been nice to spend quality mom and daughter time over this week. It certainly has been healing for my sad heart.
I look forward to going to Leavenworth today and bringing Jordie back tomorrow, and my step-daughter returning tomorrow afternoon, and all of us having a nice family weekend ahead.
I decided to make the best of this break, and so my step-daughter and I have been rather busy.
We planted out garden inside (72 little pods of various goodies). She wrote all the markers, and pretty much did everything with just a little assistance here and there. I can't wait until we can transplant everything outside. I think we are going to try the apple bin gardening to keep out all of the marmits.
The other HUGE thing we did these last couple of days is that I broke out the MAGIC shoe box. This is a tradition in my family.
What was so cute about this is what my step-daughter thought might happen. She imagined that she would put her shoe in the box and magically it would tie it for her! LOL!
Instead it's a simple shoe box with a shoe string set up through the top, and I taught her how to tie her shoe!!! I did the same thing with both my boys when they were the same age, and they, too, had immediate success.
You should've seen how stinking proud she was of herself! Then it becomes kind of a game, and she practices and practices, so the tying even becomes more tight.
She asked me if she could take her magic shoe box to school, so she can teach all her friends how to tie their shoes!
It's so much fun to watch kids traverse milestones of independence, and especially to see just how proud they are of themselves! She has shown pretty much everybody and anybody her new skill.
Then yesterday we went to have our pedicures. I had a gift certificate, and so I decided to head in. This was my step-daughter's first pedicure, and BOY she loved it!! She told me that she can't wait to go again, and wanted to know if we go as soon as the nail polish disappears on her little toes...UH-oh! I may have created a DIVA in the making! LOL!
Well, it's definitely been nice to spend quality mom and daughter time over this week. It certainly has been healing for my sad heart.
I look forward to going to Leavenworth today and bringing Jordie back tomorrow, and my step-daughter returning tomorrow afternoon, and all of us having a nice family weekend ahead.
