Christmas is such a busy time of year, and so much gets lost in the shuffle. I like staying home for Christmas, I am comfortable at my own church, and this year I will be doing the power point at all 5 Christmas Eve Services. The comment was made that even the pastors don't do all five, but as I pointed out, (no pun intended) they have to stand and speak, I get to sit and hit a button. Dawn and Chip will be going to New Mexico for Christmas and so I decided to go to So.
Calif to practise Christmas there.
We (I) picked a weekend and it was compatible with all concerned, so I decided I would drive down to Corona on Saturday and come home on Monday. Driving was pretty much the only option as I had so much to take with me, and the airlines don't like that so drive, I will. I planned to leave on Saturday morning and we would all get together for dinner on Saturday nite. As usual, the best laid plans, etc, etc, etc. The weather chose not to cooperate. Remember, I have to drive thru the Cajon Pass, which can be tricky in bad weather. It had turned cold earlier in the week and we had an all day rain (unusual for our area). It cleared up later in the week, but a big storm was predicted for Saturday, so on Thursday, I decided I would leave on Friday and avoid the storm.
I planned to leave around 9 AM, but again, fate stepped in and I was still in Henderson at 10:30 am. Not too bad, got rolling and it was cloudy and threatening, but by the time I got to the state line the sun was shining and it was beautiful. A tad chilly, but good driving conditio ns. So with a Christmas CD and God in the passenger seat, we had a good trip. Got to Barstow and the clouds ahead were very threatening, but I pushed on. Darker and darker as we approached Victorville, with a murky looking bank of fog (smog) on the horizon. There is one really steep downgrade coming down from the pass, where we literally passed thru the clouds, it was a brief
period of time, but it was so eerie --almost like slow motion and weird--and then those clouds were hovering over m y head. No rain, but strange. Others must have felt the same way I did as everyone was driving rather slowly and I did not see even one crazy person. T hank you God. Got in some stop and go traffic between the 60 a nd the 91, but truly again, no nuts. Must have been no California drivers on the 15 that day. Arrived at Beth's in Corona about 2:45.
Mel and the kids came and got me and I went over and had dinner with them. Beth and Tony had a Christmas party to go to. Melanie made a pot roast with potatoes and we had a really good visit. Such fun seeing the kids and their parents.
Saturday morning Beth and I went back to Melanie and Brian's as Beth was babysitting. We had fun with the kids and Beth even taugh t them a new game. She put her I phone on a timer and
we had a contest to see if luke or gavin would keep quiet the longest. Luke won, he went over 8 minutes.
We came back for dinner later on Saturday and the Biegers came over (they actually picked up the dinner and brought it with them. Three delicious pasta dishes, salad and bread. the kids were anxious for presents, which Santa had brought while we were babysitting and that silly man in the red suit dumped them in my trunk so we had to bring them over.
I believe I forgot to mention that the weatherman called it correctly and it rained all day Saturday, sometimes a light rain, but of course everytime we had to be out in it, it was pouring.
After dinner the rain had let up a little bit and the kids wanted to go carolling. Beth, Melanie and Shannon took McKenna, Luke and Kyla and Gavin and went to the neighbor's houses, singing for them and then leaving them gifts. Of course the further away they got, the harder it poured, so they had to give up and come home. Our house was the last house they carolled at and they were so cute, singing their hearts out and looking like drowned puppies. Maggie came and stood next to my while the sang her song "Tinky Bells, HAY!" (Jingle Bells) Oh what fun. Poor Mags had lost her voice, so she could only "shine" her eyes were shining, her smile was shining and she was just enjoying the whole thing.
Now, it was present time. The girls got bracelets and the boys got roadbots and lots of candy.
Maggie can tell you that you cannot take a giant gumdrop and put it in your mouth all at one time, you have to take bites. Kids were place in new pajamas (getting out of their wet clothes)
Dessert time for the grown-ups, some photo ops, kids worn out from carolling and grandma looking like she had been out in the rain way too long, but love filling the air. Even Katie looked at me this time, didn't smile, but didn't look down either.
Where does the weekend go? It's Sunday already. Beth and I met Sherri for lunch and then met Melanie an Gavin at the Menswear shop where Gavin was measured for his "suxedo" He and
McKenna are going to be in Nichoel's wedding in January. I think Melanie is still in "sticker shock over the price of renting a tuxedo.
Sunday was a beautiful day, and promises of good weather to come. I planned to go home on Monday, and was able to get away on time. 9AM was the plan and I was home and had the car unpacked by 12:40. Very little traffic and very little wind.
Thanks for sharing our Christmas Practise with me, Now we are all prepared for the REAL thing
and GOD BLESS US EVERYONE
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
A STOLEN THANKSGIVING POEM
They caught me by surprise one night
and oh my heart was full of fright!
They threw me in a big old pot
And boy, the water was very hot
I knew I would have a very short night
Oh Oh, here comes the knife
But, it stops and they say "grace"
Now here it comes, finally at last
and all the pain is long gone past
It's now a battle I have lost
along with corn and cranberry sauce
THE END
and oh my heart was full of fright!
They threw me in a big old pot
And boy, the water was very hot
I knew I would have a very short night
Oh Oh, here comes the knife
But, it stops and they say "grace"
Now here it comes, finally at last
and all the pain is long gone past
It's now a battle I have lost
along with corn and cranberry sauce
THE END
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
NOVEMBER/THANKSGIVING
I guess everyone has a month in their lives that they would like to skip over each year and get it over with. November has long been that month for me. It is a bittersweet month for me, one in which I lost many people I loved very much. Oh yes, I have lost people in other months, too, but November is the one I don't like the
most.
I LOVE holidays, so it doesn't seem fair, but that's why it is "bittersweet" I am grateful for my life, my friends,
and most of all for my family. God has been good to me and blessed me in so many ways. In a recent visit to
Idaho, our relationships with many of Wayne's family were renewed. Our facebook relationships, too, have taken us to a new level with being able to communicate more closely with family and friends separated by miles, yet connected thru the internet.
I am always reminded at this time of year of those I miss so very much. Let me tell you about two Thanksgivings that come to mind:
The first was in 1982 (I hope I got that year right) It was Thanksgiving, and everyone had gathered at our house on Shipman to celebrate the holiday. Not too much stands out in my mind about tha t Thanksgiving being any different from many others, but hindsight is a wonderful thing. It was the Tuesday following the
holiday that I got a frantic call from my mom, saying "Dorothy, something has happened to your Dad, can
you come over?" Yes, my Dad had slipped away quietly during the night. Thinking back to the T hursday
before, I recalled my dad and mom leaving our house and Dad kissed me good-bye, Not unusual, we always
kissed when saying good-bye, but what was unusual, he also hugged me, and said "This was the best Thanksgiving ever, Thank you" I never spoke to my dad again.
Then a few years later, another Thanksgiving is etched in my mind and heart. My wonderful husband of 35
years had just passed away, the week before the holiday. It is ironic that this year, 22 years later, the calendar is identical to 1987. On the 1st of November, an ambulance came and took Wayne back to the hospital. His cancer was winning.l It was a tough 19 days, with many calls to t he family that today could be
the day. Rev. Box, the chaplain at the hospital said, just t ake it one day at a time, look forward to Thanksgiving, but in my heart I knew that was not going to be. On Thursday, the 19th, one week before the
celebration of Thanksgiving, I had been at the hospital all day, as I had been the other 18 days. Beth and
Henry decided to take me out for dinner to give me a break, and said they would bring me back to the hospit al
later, if I wanted to come. We went to Coco's, a place Wayne and I had gone a lot, and the manager came up
and asked us where Wayne was. We explained the situation to him and the next thing we knew the waitress came up and told us the manager had paid for our dinner. Henry (always thinking ahead) said where can we go tomorrow nite and do the same thing.
most.
I LOVE holidays, so it doesn't seem fair, but that's why it is "bittersweet" I am grateful for my life, my friends,
and most of all for my family. God has been good to me and blessed me in so many ways. In a recent visit to
Idaho, our relationships with many of Wayne's family were renewed. Our facebook relationships, too, have taken us to a new level with being able to communicate more closely with family and friends separated by miles, yet connected thru the internet.
I am always reminded at this time of year of those I miss so very much. Let me tell you about two Thanksgivings that come to mind:
The first was in 1982 (I hope I got that year right) It was Thanksgiving, and everyone had gathered at our house on Shipman to celebrate the holiday. Not too much stands out in my mind about tha t Thanksgiving being any different from many others, but hindsight is a wonderful thing. It was the Tuesday following the
holiday that I got a frantic call from my mom, saying "Dorothy, something has happened to your Dad, can
you come over?" Yes, my Dad had slipped away quietly during the night. Thinking back to the T hursday
before, I recalled my dad and mom leaving our house and Dad kissed me good-bye, Not unusual, we always
kissed when saying good-bye, but what was unusual, he also hugged me, and said "This was the best Thanksgiving ever, Thank you" I never spoke to my dad again.
Then a few years later, another Thanksgiving is etched in my mind and heart. My wonderful husband of 35
years had just passed away, the week before the holiday. It is ironic that this year, 22 years later, the calendar is identical to 1987. On the 1st of November, an ambulance came and took Wayne back to the hospital. His cancer was winning.l It was a tough 19 days, with many calls to t he family that today could be
the day. Rev. Box, the chaplain at the hospital said, just t ake it one day at a time, look forward to Thanksgiving, but in my heart I knew that was not going to be. On Thursday, the 19th, one week before the
celebration of Thanksgiving, I had been at the hospital all day, as I had been the other 18 days. Beth and
Henry decided to take me out for dinner to give me a break, and said they would bring me back to the hospit al
later, if I wanted to come. We went to Coco's, a place Wayne and I had gone a lot, and the manager came up
and asked us where Wayne was. We explained the situation to him and the next thing we knew the waitress came up and told us the manager had paid for our dinner. Henry (always thinking ahead) said where can we go tomorrow nite and do the same thing.
Well, it got to be pretty late, so I went on home, planning to return to the hospital first t hing in the morning when about an hour later I got "t he call". Of course, guilt set in, but in my heart I knew I wasn't supposed to be there, and he was in the best hands, all the nurses who lovingly cared for him in his last days. Dr. Rohde later told me that after he had passed away, you couldn't find a nurse on the floor. Several attended his funeral service. dr. R said it was an honor and a privilege to have served as his doctor. He made dying dignified.
Thanksgiving was courtesy of K-Mart that year. They had donated all the food to the hospital, and Rev Box (Ray) had thought of us.
Yes, truly a bittersweet time, sadly missing all our loved ones who have gone on ahead, but loving the ones who are still around to love. Count your blessings and and hug those close to you
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Saturday, October 31, 2009
ONCE UPON A TIME........................
It's Halloween and we have been facebooking about our "chili tradition" which got me to thinking about celebrating Halloween, when the kids were growing up. Our house was situated further back on our lot, giving us a fairly large front yard. About halfway to the street we planted two miniature stone pines the very first Christmas we moved in, having been told that these trees could be trimmed to 8 feet and never get bigger than 12 feet, well, 60 feet later we had two very large miniature pine trees with lots of pine needles littering the front yard..so, being very creative, Dad decided to use those pine needles as mounds, depicting a graveyard, with the appropriate tombstones. This was not quite enough for him, so he took one of his flannel shirts and an old pair of levis and stuffed them with newspaper,added an old pair of shoes, a ball stuffed in a pillowcase, with a face drawn on it and a baseball cap on his head, and proceeded to hang our new friend from the pine tree nearest the gate, where trick or treaters would come in for their treats.
Still not satisfied, he wired up a speaker near the tree, connecting to a microphone in the house,
where he hid behind the drapes and would talk to the ghosts and goblins who came to the gate.
The hanging man would then speak to the children. "hi Mr Cowboy, come in" What a pretty little princess, Oh my goodness, a scary pirate.. It really worked, he would ask them to help him get down, he asked one child to scratch his foot, and his footwas scratched.. Some little ones were
so scared they wouldn't even come in. Word soon spread and people were coming by in car
loads and dropping their kids off.
We continued this for a couple of years and then all the neighbor kids as well as our own, were growing up and no longer trick or treating.
Hope you enjoy this Halloween memory
Still not satisfied, he wired up a speaker near the tree, connecting to a microphone in the house,
where he hid behind the drapes and would talk to the ghosts and goblins who came to the gate.
The hanging man would then speak to the children. "hi Mr Cowboy, come in" What a pretty little princess, Oh my goodness, a scary pirate.. It really worked, he would ask them to help him get down, he asked one child to scratch his foot, and his footwas scratched.. Some little ones were
so scared they wouldn't even come in. Word soon spread and people were coming by in car
loads and dropping their kids off.
We continued this for a couple of years and then all the neighbor kids as well as our own, were growing up and no longer trick or treating.
Hope you enjoy this Halloween memory
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
HALLOWEEN
A brief disclaimer. I was asked to write a short spooky story for the mine as they will be touring
visitors thru a Haunted Mine this spooky season, so as my printer is not yet hooked up and I dont know how to forward stuff, I am doing it in my blog. Holly, this is for you
It's Halloween, a time to be thinking of ghosts and goblins and scary things that go "clunk" in the night.
We are about to enter the McCaw Mine, but before we do, I need to warn you about something---you may
not know, but miners are a very superstitious group of people. You will notice there is a horseshoe on the wall
about the portal of the mine. It it is pointing up, it holds all good luck, but if it is pointing down, all the good luck will pour out. A miner would not enter the mine, unless the horseshoe was in the upright position.
The legend of the tommy-knockers started a long, long time ago in England, Cornwall, to be exact. In the "olden
days" there was no modern equipment, and because the mines were hollowed out by hand, the tunnels were barely high enough for a man to enter. He usually crawled in and did most of his work scrunched down. Because they didn't have the equipment that they have today, the mines were not necessarily very safe. There
were many cave-ins and the mines could be filled with gasses. In any case, many miners were trapped in the
mines and died there. Being superstitious, the miners believed that the ghosts of these miners were still hanging
around the mines. They were convinced that these ghosts would play pranks on them, they would lose their
tools, their lamps would go out, lunches would disappear, they sure seemed to be full of mischief. On the other hand, it was believed that the ghosts were also responsible for saving lives and for helping the miners find the
vein of gold, or where great deposits of ore were to be found. the miners called them "tommy-knockers"
because they would hear strange knockings on the walls around them. The miners had respect for them and
definitely did not want to make them angry, for they were also known to be very mean, when they wanted to
be. In order to appease the tommy-knockers, the miners would leave them food and perhaps a pint of ale
and hoped the tommy-knockers would be good to them.
Now as far as I know, no one has ever claimed to have really "seen" one, but they all heard them knocking,
and some would see hammers pounding on rocks, held by invisible hands, seen wheelbarrows being filled with ore when no one was around, lamps going on and off for no reason, but above all, when the day was over
and the miners were going home for the day, the lunch bucket they had left for the tommy-knockers was
empty and the container holding the pint of ale was dry.
How did they get to this country. Well, when mining first started to become a big thing in this country, we didn't have very many experienced miners and they would hire miners from England. The mining company would ask the miners of they knew of anyone else who would like to mine here and they miner would usually say "well, now,
there's my cousin Jack, and if ye would pay his boat ride he would come work for you. So the miners from
Corwall would come over here, and brought with them the legend of the tommy-knockers. The Americans
generally referred to these miners as "cousin Jacks"
Now, I am not saying this is true, and I am not saying it's not true, but just to be sure, let's check the horseshoe
and leave some food.
visitors thru a Haunted Mine this spooky season, so as my printer is not yet hooked up and I dont know how to forward stuff, I am doing it in my blog. Holly, this is for you
It's Halloween, a time to be thinking of ghosts and goblins and scary things that go "clunk" in the night.
We are about to enter the McCaw Mine, but before we do, I need to warn you about something---you may
not know, but miners are a very superstitious group of people. You will notice there is a horseshoe on the wall
about the portal of the mine. It it is pointing up, it holds all good luck, but if it is pointing down, all the good luck will pour out. A miner would not enter the mine, unless the horseshoe was in the upright position.
The legend of the tommy-knockers started a long, long time ago in England, Cornwall, to be exact. In the "olden
days" there was no modern equipment, and because the mines were hollowed out by hand, the tunnels were barely high enough for a man to enter. He usually crawled in and did most of his work scrunched down. Because they didn't have the equipment that they have today, the mines were not necessarily very safe. There
were many cave-ins and the mines could be filled with gasses. In any case, many miners were trapped in the
mines and died there. Being superstitious, the miners believed that the ghosts of these miners were still hanging
around the mines. They were convinced that these ghosts would play pranks on them, they would lose their
tools, their lamps would go out, lunches would disappear, they sure seemed to be full of mischief. On the other hand, it was believed that the ghosts were also responsible for saving lives and for helping the miners find the
vein of gold, or where great deposits of ore were to be found. the miners called them "tommy-knockers"
because they would hear strange knockings on the walls around them. The miners had respect for them and
definitely did not want to make them angry, for they were also known to be very mean, when they wanted to
be. In order to appease the tommy-knockers, the miners would leave them food and perhaps a pint of ale
and hoped the tommy-knockers would be good to them.
Now as far as I know, no one has ever claimed to have really "seen" one, but they all heard them knocking,
and some would see hammers pounding on rocks, held by invisible hands, seen wheelbarrows being filled with ore when no one was around, lamps going on and off for no reason, but above all, when the day was over
and the miners were going home for the day, the lunch bucket they had left for the tommy-knockers was
empty and the container holding the pint of ale was dry.
How did they get to this country. Well, when mining first started to become a big thing in this country, we didn't have very many experienced miners and they would hire miners from England. The mining company would ask the miners of they knew of anyone else who would like to mine here and they miner would usually say "well, now,
there's my cousin Jack, and if ye would pay his boat ride he would come work for you. So the miners from
Corwall would come over here, and brought with them the legend of the tommy-knockers. The Americans
generally referred to these miners as "cousin Jacks"
Now, I am not saying this is true, and I am not saying it's not true, but just to be sure, let's check the horseshoe
and leave some food.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
VERY INTERESTING
Very early this morning, prepari ng for my day I read this little story:
A father was watching his young son in the back yard one day. The little boy was trying to move a stone that was just more than his little hands could manage. The father said, Son, are you using all your strength. The y oung son said Yes, daddy, and the father replied Oh no you are not, son I am standing right here and you didn't eve n ask me for help. Such a short story but such a powerful message. Went to church, met with friends, had some interesting conversations, came home, read my e mail, one from a friend who is tired, both physically and
emotionally and vented to me. W hen s peaking to her daughter, she was told, you are depressed get your doctor to give you some pills.
I know many of you, including myself are facing the unknown at this time, granted some to a lesser degree than others, but kind of hanging at the end of your particular rope. Grandpa
Roy Webb always said when you come to the end of your rope, t ie a knot and hang on. He was a self proclaimed atheist. But we know we just have to go to our heavenly father and ask for his help and he will give it. But more important we have to listen and to accept what his plan for us is. I guess we shouldn't really tell him what our plan is, unless we want to give him a good laugh.
I really dont like to be a "preachy" kind of person, and hopefully I try to live my life as an example to others, but I have had many failures along that line (I am sooooooooooooo human)
I guess what I am trying to say is when you can't move that stone the way you want to, draw
upon your greatest strength and let your father who is in heaven help. I love you all
My own personal problems at this time are facing up to aging. To accept what I cannot change..
I am not afraid of dying, just not ready to do it yet, but have trouble accepting other people dying es pecially those younger than I. I regret the long hikes thru the air port, but not ready to
accept the wheelchair ride. I regret listening to people talking about their ailments (which are usually mild to everyone else but them) and taking up time that should be spent comforting and listening to peole who have life threatening problems. people who complain all the time about their jobs instead of helping the person who thru no fault of his own recently lost his job, you all know what I am talking about soI AM NOW STEPPING OFF MY SOAP BOX--------------
A father was watching his young son in the back yard one day. The little boy was trying to move a stone that was just more than his little hands could manage. The father said, Son, are you using all your strength. The y oung son said Yes, daddy, and the father replied Oh no you are not, son I am standing right here and you didn't eve n ask me for help. Such a short story but such a powerful message. Went to church, met with friends, had some interesting conversations, came home, read my e mail, one from a friend who is tired, both physically and
emotionally and vented to me. W hen s peaking to her daughter, she was told, you are depressed get your doctor to give you some pills.
I know many of you, including myself are facing the unknown at this time, granted some to a lesser degree than others, but kind of hanging at the end of your particular rope. Grandpa
Roy Webb always said when you come to the end of your rope, t ie a knot and hang on. He was a self proclaimed atheist. But we know we just have to go to our heavenly father and ask for his help and he will give it. But more important we have to listen and to accept what his plan for us is. I guess we shouldn't really tell him what our plan is, unless we want to give him a good laugh.
I really dont like to be a "preachy" kind of person, and hopefully I try to live my life as an example to others, but I have had many failures along that line (I am sooooooooooooo human)
I guess what I am trying to say is when you can't move that stone the way you want to, draw
upon your greatest strength and let your father who is in heaven help. I love you all
My own personal problems at this time are facing up to aging. To accept what I cannot change..
I am not afraid of dying, just not ready to do it yet, but have trouble accepting other people dying es pecially those younger than I. I regret the long hikes thru the air port, but not ready to
accept the wheelchair ride. I regret listening to people talking about their ailments (which are usually mild to everyone else but them) and taking up time that should be spent comforting and listening to peole who have life threatening problems. people who complain all the time about their jobs instead of helping the person who thru no fault of his own recently lost his job, you all know what I am talking about soI AM NOW STEPPING OFF MY SOAP BOX--------------
Sunday, June 21, 2009
JUNE 18TH--FATHER'S DAY--STRAWBERRY PIE
what do those three have in common, they represent alsmost every father's day I can remember. Let me tell you about my Dad. He was born on June 18th and he loved strawberry pie, so every father's day we would celebrate his birthday and my mom would bake a strawberry pie. I was always very close to my dad, being the oldest and being almost 13 years older than my brother. As kids, my sister Darlene was basically with Mom and I was with Dad.
I loved it. A kinder, gentler man I have never known. He and my Auntie Alma were two people I never heard a bad word from, never talked about other people (gossiping) and were always there to listen. They were the peacemakers in the family. I miss them both a whole lot. I remember the last time I saw my dad. It was Thanksgiving of 1982 and we had had dinner at our house on Shipman. It was customary in our family to give kisses when we said goodbye, but this one time not only did my dad give me a kiss, he added a hug for good measure and said "it was the best thanksgiving ever" the following Tuesday my mom called me in the morning and said she couldn't wake dad up. If ever a person was ready to meet the Lord, I believe it was my dad. He hated arguing with my mom, and one funny story I remember was when we lived on 8th and Center and mom was mad about something and was yelling, and dad was saying now, Minnie, let's just talk thisover quietly, all the while shutting windows, so the neighbors wouldnt hear my mom, and she right behind him throwing them open saying she didn't care what the neighbors thought. Another time, he was tr ying to pacify my mom (in case you wondered she was the outs poken one) It was my sister's birthday and mom had baked a cake and my dad
picked it up saying something about helping her and wouldn't you know it, dropped it on the floor. We scooped it up, served it in a bowl witth ice cream and called it "dropcake"
On a light note, I remember one Father's day when we all went to Pomona to celebrate the dual occasion and Chip and my brother Bob were on a softball team, so after dinner, before pie we all went to the ball field for the game, then back to mom and dads for pie./ Jeff and Emery were just teeny babies. Dawn left Jeff with me while she ran to the store for Diapers. Of course the moment she left Jeff started screaming, he was hungry. Nothing would appease him and I certainly was not equipped to feed him After about 15 minutes of this, Allyn said Oh for crying out loud give hime to me. I did she promptlylet him share emery's dinner. When Dawn returned to a quiet sleeping child I told her what happened, not knowing exactly what her reaction would be, only to relax when she said I will just say in his baby book that Jeff had dinner out that night.
Go in peace, and HAPPY FATHER'S DAY
I loved it. A kinder, gentler man I have never known. He and my Auntie Alma were two people I never heard a bad word from, never talked about other people (gossiping) and were always there to listen. They were the peacemakers in the family. I miss them both a whole lot. I remember the last time I saw my dad. It was Thanksgiving of 1982 and we had had dinner at our house on Shipman. It was customary in our family to give kisses when we said goodbye, but this one time not only did my dad give me a kiss, he added a hug for good measure and said "it was the best thanksgiving ever" the following Tuesday my mom called me in the morning and said she couldn't wake dad up. If ever a person was ready to meet the Lord, I believe it was my dad. He hated arguing with my mom, and one funny story I remember was when we lived on 8th and Center and mom was mad about something and was yelling, and dad was saying now, Minnie, let's just talk thisover quietly, all the while shutting windows, so the neighbors wouldnt hear my mom, and she right behind him throwing them open saying she didn't care what the neighbors thought. Another time, he was tr ying to pacify my mom (in case you wondered she was the outs poken one) It was my sister's birthday and mom had baked a cake and my dad
picked it up saying something about helping her and wouldn't you know it, dropped it on the floor. We scooped it up, served it in a bowl witth ice cream and called it "dropcake"
On a light note, I remember one Father's day when we all went to Pomona to celebrate the dual occasion and Chip and my brother Bob were on a softball team, so after dinner, before pie we all went to the ball field for the game, then back to mom and dads for pie./ Jeff and Emery were just teeny babies. Dawn left Jeff with me while she ran to the store for Diapers. Of course the moment she left Jeff started screaming, he was hungry. Nothing would appease him and I certainly was not equipped to feed him After about 15 minutes of this, Allyn said Oh for crying out loud give hime to me. I did she promptlylet him share emery's dinner. When Dawn returned to a quiet sleeping child I told her what happened, not knowing exactly what her reaction would be, only to relax when she said I will just say in his baby book that Jeff had dinner out that night.
Go in peace, and HAPPY FATHER'S DAY
Sunday, May 17, 2009
ARMED FORCES DAY, 1952
Fort Lee, Virginia. We had been married a whopping 42 days and looking forward to the holiday when we got word that a few soldiers would draw duty and have to stay on the base that day, and wouldn't you know it, my
wonderful husband was one of the lucky ones. Well word came to us wives that we could get around that if we
showed up at the base stating we had come to the base from out of town just to celebrate the big day. Of course, that was the editorial "we" seeing as in our group, Wayne was the only one drawing duty that day. So
three of us paraded to the CO's office and I requested they give Pvt. Webb the day off as I had come from
Wisconsin to visit with him. It worked and he got the rest of the day off and the private who had to replace him never spoke to us again. Wayne was on KP duty and that's where the replacement went. I really didn't lie
I had come from Wisconsin to be with him, only I had arrived 5 weeks ago and was living there. Oh well!
Now, with Bryan being in the middle east, all these memories are coming back to me. I have been so thankful
over the years that the draft was abolished and that my children did not have to face the hardships and lonliness that came along with military life. Yes, I know, people live it today and I weep everytime I see soldiers being deployed or returning home. You see, it isn't only the soldier who is serving his country, it is the whole family. Ca n you imagine being married for two months and then Uncle Sam says "I want YOU" and you don't see each other for another year and a half. You just had to make an adventure out of it. Today our
armed forces consists of men and women who enlist. They choose this way of life for many reasons, and I salute them. Some do it so they can further their education at governement expense while serving their country. I applaud them. Somemake a career outof being in the service, Thank you, and others give of their
time and talents to go over there and tell these men and women that those at home have not forgotted you.
You are appreciated and loved. Thank you Bryan for giving of your God-given talent and letting our warriors know we love and appreciate them. I know Grandpa is up in heaven saluting YOU! I love you!
wonderful husband was one of the lucky ones. Well word came to us wives that we could get around that if we
showed up at the base stating we had come to the base from out of town just to celebrate the big day. Of course, that was the editorial "we" seeing as in our group, Wayne was the only one drawing duty that day. So
three of us paraded to the CO's office and I requested they give Pvt. Webb the day off as I had come from
Wisconsin to visit with him. It worked and he got the rest of the day off and the private who had to replace him never spoke to us again. Wayne was on KP duty and that's where the replacement went. I really didn't lie
I had come from Wisconsin to be with him, only I had arrived 5 weeks ago and was living there. Oh well!
Now, with Bryan being in the middle east, all these memories are coming back to me. I have been so thankful
over the years that the draft was abolished and that my children did not have to face the hardships and lonliness that came along with military life. Yes, I know, people live it today and I weep everytime I see soldiers being deployed or returning home. You see, it isn't only the soldier who is serving his country, it is the whole family. Ca n you imagine being married for two months and then Uncle Sam says "I want YOU" and you don't see each other for another year and a half. You just had to make an adventure out of it. Today our
armed forces consists of men and women who enlist. They choose this way of life for many reasons, and I salute them. Some do it so they can further their education at governement expense while serving their country. I applaud them. Somemake a career outof being in the service, Thank you, and others give of their
time and talents to go over there and tell these men and women that those at home have not forgotted you.
You are appreciated and loved. Thank you Bryan for giving of your God-given talent and letting our warriors know we love and appreciate them. I know Grandpa is up in heaven saluting YOU! I love you!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
MOTHER'S DAY
When you think about it--everyone has or had a mother at sometime in their life, except Eve and she had the
Greatest Father there is. You really have to be in some remote state of your consciousness to not know that
Mother's day is almost here. So of course, you think about it.
One Mother's day I just cant seem to forget happened when I was a little girl. My dad had given me 25 cents to
go to the five and dime to get my mother a gift. traditionally, we would serve her breakfast in bed (streusel coffee cake and coffee) and present our gifts. I was so proud. I had gotten her a beautiful box of handkerchiefs, and a card which I gave her, stoically announcing i had done the shopping myself and had money left over, which "daddy says I can keep" was there ever greater love?
One of the traditions I truly miss, and I am not sure whether it was strictly a midwestern tradition or a national one. Everyone wore a carnation, the men, women and all the children. You wore a pink or red carnation if your mother was living and a white one if she was not.
Here's wishing you all a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY. You have made and impression on someone's life.
Greatest Father there is. You really have to be in some remote state of your consciousness to not know that
Mother's day is almost here. So of course, you think about it.
One Mother's day I just cant seem to forget happened when I was a little girl. My dad had given me 25 cents to
go to the five and dime to get my mother a gift. traditionally, we would serve her breakfast in bed (streusel coffee cake and coffee) and present our gifts. I was so proud. I had gotten her a beautiful box of handkerchiefs, and a card which I gave her, stoically announcing i had done the shopping myself and had money left over, which "daddy says I can keep" was there ever greater love?
One of the traditions I truly miss, and I am not sure whether it was strictly a midwestern tradition or a national one. Everyone wore a carnation, the men, women and all the children. You wore a pink or red carnation if your mother was living and a white one if she was not.
Here's wishing you all a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY. You have made and impression on someone's life.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
ALYSON SAID......................
Grandma, it's your blog and you can say "ass" if you want to. Well, here goes, after 70 some odd years, I finally got the courage to show my ass at a party and for knowing when and how to do it, I
got paid $525.00. Now don't worry, it was for a good cause, The McCaw School of Mines. I had to
donate $50 for this privilege.
Now I suppose you want an explanation for this action. I could be mean and wait a few days before I blog any further and let your imaginations work overtime, but I wont. I do want you to know that
my ass was as cute as any at that party.
Yes, I did donate $50. You all know how proud I am of the mine and for my money I was issued a
paddle, two round circles glued to popsicle sticks. One side was a picture of an old prospector panning for gold (heads) and the other side was a picture of a mule's behind (tails) complete with real
hair for the tail. It was a 50/50 game. All participants were standing showing one side or the other
and a coin was tossed. If it came up tails, all those showing heads sat down. I showed my tail 3 times in a row and it came up tails, I then switched to heads, heads came up, liked tails better so
switched back again, again tails. Now there were only about 4 of us left. I again chose tails, but then decided to switch to heads, and I was the only one left. T he fund raiser earned $1050 and so
I got half of that.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: you are never too old to have fun and this little game is the source of
many comments among the friends of THE MCCAW SCHOOL OF MINES.
the paddles were the design of former first lady, Sandy Miller. Love that lady
got paid $525.00. Now don't worry, it was for a good cause, The McCaw School of Mines. I had to
donate $50 for this privilege.
Now I suppose you want an explanation for this action. I could be mean and wait a few days before I blog any further and let your imaginations work overtime, but I wont. I do want you to know that
my ass was as cute as any at that party.
Yes, I did donate $50. You all know how proud I am of the mine and for my money I was issued a
paddle, two round circles glued to popsicle sticks. One side was a picture of an old prospector panning for gold (heads) and the other side was a picture of a mule's behind (tails) complete with real
hair for the tail. It was a 50/50 game. All participants were standing showing one side or the other
and a coin was tossed. If it came up tails, all those showing heads sat down. I showed my tail 3 times in a row and it came up tails, I then switched to heads, heads came up, liked tails better so
switched back again, again tails. Now there were only about 4 of us left. I again chose tails, but then decided to switch to heads, and I was the only one left. T he fund raiser earned $1050 and so
I got half of that.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: you are never too old to have fun and this little game is the source of
many comments among the friends of THE MCCAW SCHOOL OF MINES.
the paddles were the design of former first lady, Sandy Miller. Love that lady
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
AND NOW......................
THE REST OF THE STORY:
When I last left you, the pharmacy had denied me a refill on my meds, stating I had to wait 30 days before refilling, but condescendingly saying they would give me the 30 tablets they had short ed me 2 months ago.
Well, life kind of intervened at this point, and due to other commitments, I just didn't get over to the pharmacy to retrieve the meds until Monday, 5 days after I had called them with the info. I bravely walked up to the window, confident because this time I had the meds container in my purse. They were a tad busy at the
time, so I was honored to have the pharmacist herself wait on my. Obviously she hadn't read my previous blog, because she was fairly nice to me. I explained that I was there to pick up the prescription that the y had
shorted me on. She quickly fou nd it and said I guess we don't charge for this, as we shorted you/ DUH! I kept
my mouth shut. Oh, just a minute. I'd better check the computer just to be sure. Hmm, I really don't get this./
Well, to make a long story short, the dummies had not only given me the 30 tabs they had shorted me, but also gave me 90 more on the refill they had just denied me. So I guess I will just live life to the fullest before
someone comes to arrest me for overdosing on cholesterol meds. Glad I waited until my Wisconsin friends
left. It would have been embarrassing to be arrested at the HOFBRAUHAUS!
When I last left you, the pharmacy had denied me a refill on my meds, stating I had to wait 30 days before refilling, but condescendingly saying they would give me the 30 tablets they had short ed me 2 months ago.
Well, life kind of intervened at this point, and due to other commitments, I just didn't get over to the pharmacy to retrieve the meds until Monday, 5 days after I had called them with the info. I bravely walked up to the window, confident because this time I had the meds container in my purse. They were a tad busy at the
time, so I was honored to have the pharmacist herself wait on my. Obviously she hadn't read my previous blog, because she was fairly nice to me. I explained that I was there to pick up the prescription that the y had
shorted me on. She quickly fou nd it and said I guess we don't charge for this, as we shorted you/ DUH! I kept
my mouth shut. Oh, just a minute. I'd better check the computer just to be sure. Hmm, I really don't get this./
Well, to make a long story short, the dummies had not only given me the 30 tabs they had shorted me, but also gave me 90 more on the refill they had just denied me. So I guess I will just live life to the fullest before
someone comes to arrest me for overdosing on cholesterol meds. Glad I waited until my Wisconsin friends
left. It would have been embarrassing to be arrested at the HOFBRAUHAUS!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
GROWWWWWWWWWWL!
I HATE incompetent people, especially those holding responsible positions.
For over 20 years, I have had all my prescriptions filled at Wal-Mart, and all was exceedingly smooth, until about 6 months ago, when a prescription which had always cost me $15 was suddenly $65 because the pharmacy decided to purchase the meds in a bubble package (one, where you pop out each pill indivually) this packaging cost more and the insurance company refused to pay for it. Personally, I preferred the pills in
a bottle myself. I confronted Wal Mart and they basically said 'TUFF" Sooooooooo when I went for my physical in feb, the MD writes me new rx's for the next year, I just decided to take them to Smith's pharmacy.
I only needed one of the 3 that day and had it filled. The prescription is for 90 and I take one a day. After about a month, I realized I did not have 90 pills, and counting them found they had given me 60, even tho the bottle said 90. I called the pharmacy immediately and told them about it. Well, yesterday I called in for
a refill gave them their rx # and said I would be in today . (wednesday). i went in and could see the pills and knew they were the wrong ones. When questioning the pharmacist she said this was pain medication. I don't
take pain meds, only tylenol. She said what did you order, I said I didn't remember the name but it was the
meds I had called in yesterday. She said well, if you don't know, how should we? i said well, I thought the
rx refill I called in yesterday should be on your computer. I tried to explain what medication I needed and she said I must have filled it elsewhere. i said no, I still have the bottle, however it is at home. I said when
I get home I will call you.
Well, I came home and called it in andshe said, we can't fill that for another 30 days. I repeated that I had
called them and told them I was shorted by 30 pills and that I had called it in so they would know. Finally
they agreed to give me the other 30 pills (which I already paid for) I asked if they didn't have my phone
call noted on the computer, she said "yes" DUH, SPARE ME FROM IMCOMPETENCY I may be getting old but I am definitely not senile yet, and don't you dare treat me like I am
For over 20 years, I have had all my prescriptions filled at Wal-Mart, and all was exceedingly smooth, until about 6 months ago, when a prescription which had always cost me $15 was suddenly $65 because the pharmacy decided to purchase the meds in a bubble package (one, where you pop out each pill indivually) this packaging cost more and the insurance company refused to pay for it. Personally, I preferred the pills in
a bottle myself. I confronted Wal Mart and they basically said 'TUFF" Sooooooooo when I went for my physical in feb, the MD writes me new rx's for the next year, I just decided to take them to Smith's pharmacy.
I only needed one of the 3 that day and had it filled. The prescription is for 90 and I take one a day. After about a month, I realized I did not have 90 pills, and counting them found they had given me 60, even tho the bottle said 90. I called the pharmacy immediately and told them about it. Well, yesterday I called in for
a refill gave them their rx # and said I would be in today . (wednesday). i went in and could see the pills and knew they were the wrong ones. When questioning the pharmacist she said this was pain medication. I don't
take pain meds, only tylenol. She said what did you order, I said I didn't remember the name but it was the
meds I had called in yesterday. She said well, if you don't know, how should we? i said well, I thought the
rx refill I called in yesterday should be on your computer. I tried to explain what medication I needed and she said I must have filled it elsewhere. i said no, I still have the bottle, however it is at home. I said when
I get home I will call you.
Well, I came home and called it in andshe said, we can't fill that for another 30 days. I repeated that I had
called them and told them I was shorted by 30 pills and that I had called it in so they would know. Finally
they agreed to give me the other 30 pills (which I already paid for) I asked if they didn't have my phone
call noted on the computer, she said "yes" DUH, SPARE ME FROM IMCOMPETENCY I may be getting old but I am definitely not senile yet, and don't you dare treat me like I am
Monday, April 6, 2009
TWO TEACHERS........................
I have watched the evening news for more years than I care to count. However, it is not often (thank you God)
that someone you know is featured in the local news. Last week it happened to me, not once but twice. I would
rather have done without either one, but such was not to be my destiny.
I have mentioned both these men in my previous blogs, but with all the goings on these days, I learned something about myself.
Cliff Kehoe, and Rick Rogers, both men have played an important part in my life. I have know both of them for over 12 years, and have come to love them both. they both taught school at McCaw at the same time. Cliff
taught 3rd grade and Rick 4th grade. I had their students as Mighty Miners and both teachers were loved by
their students.
Now as life would have it, both teachers are lost to the students forever. Cliff, as you know was diagnosed with
terminal cancer and Rick was arrested for child pornography. How sad for this world. I cannot condone Rick's actions, but the one thing I have learned is that even though I hate the sin, I can still pray for the
sinner. I am devastated to lose these two friends in my life. I have the feeling that there are hundreds of
people who have these same emotions as I have and I pray for them too. It is hard to let people go out of
your life, One to the loving arms of our Savior, the other to whatever the courts decide. I pray for peace for
both of them.
that someone you know is featured in the local news. Last week it happened to me, not once but twice. I would
rather have done without either one, but such was not to be my destiny.
I have mentioned both these men in my previous blogs, but with all the goings on these days, I learned something about myself.
Cliff Kehoe, and Rick Rogers, both men have played an important part in my life. I have know both of them for over 12 years, and have come to love them both. they both taught school at McCaw at the same time. Cliff
taught 3rd grade and Rick 4th grade. I had their students as Mighty Miners and both teachers were loved by
their students.
Now as life would have it, both teachers are lost to the students forever. Cliff, as you know was diagnosed with
terminal cancer and Rick was arrested for child pornography. How sad for this world. I cannot condone Rick's actions, but the one thing I have learned is that even though I hate the sin, I can still pray for the
sinner. I am devastated to lose these two friends in my life. I have the feeling that there are hundreds of
people who have these same emotions as I have and I pray for them too. It is hard to let people go out of
your life, One to the loving arms of our Savior, the other to whatever the courts decide. I pray for peace for
both of them.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
SURPRISE---------------
Imagine my surprise when I was watching the evening news on Channel 8 (NBC) The other night when I looked up and saw my friend's "mug shot" on the local news. I have known Rick since I started at the mine. He was one of the teacher's who had an idea about teaching kids about mining and thus started the McCaw School of
Mines. At the time Rick was a 4th grade teacher at McCaw, later he followed Janet over to Taylor and has since gone on to become a science teacher at a middle school in Boulder City. I have known Rick all these years, have met at many social events in the past and even spent a few very cold evenings on an island in
the middle of Lake Mead, watching the Christmas Boat Parade. I have accompanied him on field trips as a
chaperone and watched him interact with his students. They all loved him. Why was he o n the news? No, he
didn't die, altho several years ago, he almost did and had to have a kidney transplant, then later had a malignant tumor removed. No, he is alive and well---well maybe not, you see Rick was arrested on Thursday
on 64 counts of Pornography. I am sick. I would have entrusted my children to him. Rick took in foster children who had difficult home situations. He was a soccor coach! It was not revealed if his students were
involved in this, only that he had his home, his car and his classroom searched. the Henderson police had
received an anonymous tip.
A million thoughts run thru your mind. "how can I trust anyone ever again" and then "how can I not" I cannot
s pend the rest of my life reading between the lines, looking behind closed doors, wondering this and that.
I guess I will think twice tho about my most prescious possessions "the children" after all the rest can be
replaced or done without.
Please pray for God to enter Rick's heart. His life as he knows it is over. 17 years he was at the CCSD-gone
I love you all !
Mines. At the time Rick was a 4th grade teacher at McCaw, later he followed Janet over to Taylor and has since gone on to become a science teacher at a middle school in Boulder City. I have known Rick all these years, have met at many social events in the past and even spent a few very cold evenings on an island in
the middle of Lake Mead, watching the Christmas Boat Parade. I have accompanied him on field trips as a
chaperone and watched him interact with his students. They all loved him. Why was he o n the news? No, he
didn't die, altho several years ago, he almost did and had to have a kidney transplant, then later had a malignant tumor removed. No, he is alive and well---well maybe not, you see Rick was arrested on Thursday
on 64 counts of Pornography. I am sick. I would have entrusted my children to him. Rick took in foster children who had difficult home situations. He was a soccor coach! It was not revealed if his students were
involved in this, only that he had his home, his car and his classroom searched. the Henderson police had
received an anonymous tip.
A million thoughts run thru your mind. "how can I trust anyone ever again" and then "how can I not" I cannot
s pend the rest of my life reading between the lines, looking behind closed doors, wondering this and that.
I guess I will think twice tho about my most prescious possessions "the children" after all the rest can be
replaced or done without.
Please pray for God to enter Rick's heart. His life as he knows it is over. 17 years he was at the CCSD-gone
I love you all !
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
TOUCHED BY AN......................
Angel, I'm not sure--what do you think?
Yesterday, St Patrick's Day and I was invited to go over to a friend's house for corned beef and cabbage. I don't know why I agree because we all know I HATE driving where I don't know exactly where I am going
and it would be dark when I came home.
Be that as it may, I agreed. I had been over to Clark and Jeannine's house once before, about 3 years ago
and I remembered how hard it was to find. they do not live far from me but in a community where there is
only one way in and one way out, but once you are in that little circled, the streets are windy and curvey and
also you are on one street and suddenly the name changes and you are on the same street, but it has a different name. Well, Naturally this will not be my favorite drive.
Of course, I did my homework (mapquest) and started on my way. Shouldn't take me ten minutes and dinner
is at 6, so it is still light out. I found the main street in and then the second. A car had followed me into the
second street, so I pulled off to the curb wanting him to pass as I would be looking for street names. He
passed me and as he passed, he turned around and waved and motioned for me to follow him The windows
were tinted (and I don't see that well at a distance) but I thought it might be Clark and thought he might be
in his wife's car. So, I followed him we twisted and turned and in about a minute we were going right past
Clark's house. He turned the corner and I followed ( i was doing the u-thing turn around so I could park in
front of the house. When he saw me still following me he stopped but when he saw me turn he went on,
going back out the same way we came in. My thought it was someone both Clark and I knew (clark works
\at the mine). I mentioned it to Clark and he said "but how did he know you were coming here?" I didn't
think much about it.
After dinner a nd visiting a little I left, able to find my way out of the maze with no trouble.
this mornin g after my devotions the incident came into my mind and I just wondered if God had realized
how panicky i was and sent one of His angels to guide me.
I helped out at the church office today and told Pastor David about it and he said "how interesting" He got
you there, didn't He. WOW what do you think. I think THANK YOU GOD!
Yesterday, St Patrick's Day and I was invited to go over to a friend's house for corned beef and cabbage. I don't know why I agree because we all know I HATE driving where I don't know exactly where I am going
and it would be dark when I came home.
Be that as it may, I agreed. I had been over to Clark and Jeannine's house once before, about 3 years ago
and I remembered how hard it was to find. they do not live far from me but in a community where there is
only one way in and one way out, but once you are in that little circled, the streets are windy and curvey and
also you are on one street and suddenly the name changes and you are on the same street, but it has a different name. Well, Naturally this will not be my favorite drive.
Of course, I did my homework (mapquest) and started on my way. Shouldn't take me ten minutes and dinner
is at 6, so it is still light out. I found the main street in and then the second. A car had followed me into the
second street, so I pulled off to the curb wanting him to pass as I would be looking for street names. He
passed me and as he passed, he turned around and waved and motioned for me to follow him The windows
were tinted (and I don't see that well at a distance) but I thought it might be Clark and thought he might be
in his wife's car. So, I followed him we twisted and turned and in about a minute we were going right past
Clark's house. He turned the corner and I followed ( i was doing the u-thing turn around so I could park in
front of the house. When he saw me still following me he stopped but when he saw me turn he went on,
going back out the same way we came in. My thought it was someone both Clark and I knew (clark works
\at the mine). I mentioned it to Clark and he said "but how did he know you were coming here?" I didn't
think much about it.
After dinner a nd visiting a little I left, able to find my way out of the maze with no trouble.
this mornin g after my devotions the incident came into my mind and I just wondered if God had realized
how panicky i was and sent one of His angels to guide me.
I helped out at the church office today and told Pastor David about it and he said "how interesting" He got
you there, didn't He. WOW what do you think. I think THANK YOU GOD!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Continued from last blog
I don't know what happened, but it wouldn't let me post any more.
ANYHOW ........................ We had kind of a routine when the kids were older. We would arrive at the park and go directly to Tomorrowland and ride the peoplemover. After that we would split up, meeting the kids everyhour at the entrance to tomorrowland by the clock. this was perfectly safe. At the end of the day we would take the train ride once around the park and then go home. I remember driving home one night and Eileen was in her car seat so worn out but having had so much fun and saying i saw Mickey Mouse, I saw Snow white, and I saw Stin k e r Be l l and then she was sound asleep!
M I C (SEE YOU REAL SOON) K E Y (WHY BECAUSE I LIKE YOU) M O U S E
ANYHOW ........................ We had kind of a routine when the kids were older. We would arrive at the park and go directly to Tomorrowland and ride the peoplemover. After that we would split up, meeting the kids everyhour at the entrance to tomorrowland by the clock. this was perfectly safe. At the end of the day we would take the train ride once around the park and then go home. I remember driving home one night and Eileen was in her car seat so worn out but having had so much fun and saying i saw Mickey Mouse, I saw Snow white, and I saw Stin k e r Be l l and then she was sound asleep!
M I C (SEE YOU REAL SOON) K E Y (WHY BECAUSE I LIKE YOU) M O U S E
OH LORD........................
Bless Mommy and Daddy and Grandma and Crappaw comes we go to Disneyland........a little boy's prayer because he knew that when Grandma and Crappaw come we always go to Disneyland. I heard a lot this past week from my
California family who spent some positive time bonding with family and friends at the most magical place in the world.
Nostalgia, siiiiggghhh! So many memories. We made it to Disneyland at least once each year. There was no such
things as yearly passes and even tho the entrance price was probably around $18 at the time, that was a whole lot of
money, so we saved up for it and got there when the gates opened and stayed until it closed. I guess after going so
many times, the visits kind of melt into one. Oh sure, I remember Snippets, like when Rohnny and Darlene were here
and we took them there and we couldn't get them to leave the souvenier stands so when we got to the parking lot our
camper was the only vehicle left and the security guard came over and said you can't camp here overnight. Then there was the time when Auntie Bev, Grandma Webb and Laurie and Brian went, and we took two cars. Somehow I
managed to drive the car with the kids in it (and I believe I was pg with Eil at the time). When exiting the park I followed dad's car and he jumped from the extreme left lane into the right lane and turned right. I was unable to do
that and then somehow got completely turned around and ended up almost in Costa Mesa. I managed to find my
way back to La Habra, just before going thru the pass on Fullerton road when I spotted the adult car. Auntie Bev
thought I would be mad, but tru ly it was just another adventure.
California family who spent some positive time bonding with family and friends at the most magical place in the world.
Nostalgia, siiiiggghhh! So many memories. We made it to Disneyland at least once each year. There was no such
things as yearly passes and even tho the entrance price was probably around $18 at the time, that was a whole lot of
money, so we saved up for it and got there when the gates opened and stayed until it closed. I guess after going so
many times, the visits kind of melt into one. Oh sure, I remember Snippets, like when Rohnny and Darlene were here
and we took them there and we couldn't get them to leave the souvenier stands so when we got to the parking lot our
camper was the only vehicle left and the security guard came over and said you can't camp here overnight. Then there was the time when Auntie Bev, Grandma Webb and Laurie and Brian went, and we took two cars. Somehow I
managed to drive the car with the kids in it (and I believe I was pg with Eil at the time). When exiting the park I followed dad's car and he jumped from the extreme left lane into the right lane and turned right. I was unable to do
that and then somehow got completely turned around and ended up almost in Costa Mesa. I managed to find my
way back to La Habra, just before going thru the pass on Fullerton road when I spotted the adult car. Auntie Bev
thought I would be mad, but tru ly it was just another adventure.
Mostly tho, I clearly remember my very first visit and my most recent visit. My first visit was in Dec of 1956.
We had just moved to So Cal and joined the church in Beverly Hills and I joined the choir and we were invited to sing
Christmas carols. It was a brand new park and brand new in the concept of being a theme park. Being late on a
Sunday afternoon and the park closed at 7 we didn't get to see much, but enough so we couldn't wait to go back. My last visit was when Shannon and Alyson were in girl scouts and it was girlscout day, which meant we had free parking. the Murphy boys got us in for free, girl scouts were free and we got to park right by the gate because we had the camper. This was a good thing, because for supper we had a tailgate party of cold chicken and potato salad as we knew if we didn't leave the park to eat it would be hard to get the kids to stop long enough for dinner. Dad and I took off on our own, On our way from adventureland to frontierland dad found a $10 bill laying on the walkway. I can only safely assume that we probably the only people in the world who ever went to Disneyland and cam e home withmore mon ey than we left with. DisneyLand was such a different place then. We had A B C D and E tickets. A tickets were like the merry-go-round ride with the E tickets for the most exotic ride.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
I DON'T LIKE THIS WEEKEND
It's been one of those weekends where everywhere you look you find trouble. It all started Friday when Brenda picked me up so we could go to stew/chili party at Janet's I'm not too nuts about going out at night
anyhow. I am such a creature of comfort, when I get home, I want to kick off my shoes, take out my teeth and
chuck the boob and veg out! Sounds like a plan to me, but sometimes society demands you jump out of your
comfort Zone. If you don't want to be depressed, stop right here.
Anyway, you remember my friend Cliff. He was a teacher at McCaw, now a in special ed and you all met him at my birthday party. He is gay and he and his partner Ron, Who is handicapped ( he was then, but now he is
even worse and is confined to a wheel chair, for various problems, including lung cancer, with Cliff being his
only caregiver. Last week Cliff complained about severe abdominal pain and finally ended up in the ER at
St Rose and then transferred to another campus where he was admitted. The dx was startling, the doctor said
he had cancer and it was terminal with a maximum of months to live and maybe only weeks. They told him to
go home and do whatever he wanted to do. They said it was a packed cancer (silent with no symptoms) and he
had it for a long time. His belly had filled up with fluid which was the cause of his pain. they drained the fluid
which made him feel much better, but also in a state of shock. He figured as did we all that he would go in and
they would fix him up and he would be better. He does have to see a surgeon on Tuesday to talk about removing his gall bladder (which seems like locking the barn after the horse is stolen) but maybe I don't know
all the facts. I am devastated. Cliff is a good friend and a wonderful teacher. His students dearly love him.
They are young and just wont understand.
today I went to church and waited for the comfort I sought--wrong--first song on the organ "how great thou
art" I think I am in trouble. The song after the message "beautiful Savior" which is my confirmation song and
always makes me cry. Hey Lord, what you setting me up for. Well being the power point person, I can slouch
down in my booth and wipe my tears and blow my nose and then WHAMMO just before the general prayer
Pastor David announced the death of a dear sweet lady who attended our service. She and her husb and are
from Wisconsin (near Waukesha where Lori lives) and we could have some lively conversations about our
trips. Kay was never a well person si nce I have known her. Apparently she was an alchoholic at some point
in her life and she suffered a stroke from it. It affected her mind and she was almost childlike. Her husband
had to take care of her, scold her, yell at her and was so good to her. He would guide her with his hand and
make her do the best she could. He loved her a lot and they just celebrated 51 y ears together. She used to
come up and say to me He's being bad and when I get him home I am going to kick his ass. I am going to
miss her.
Please keep all my friends in your prayers, and tomorrow I know, the SUN IS GOING TO SHINE
anyhow. I am such a creature of comfort, when I get home, I want to kick off my shoes, take out my teeth and
chuck the boob and veg out! Sounds like a plan to me, but sometimes society demands you jump out of your
comfort Zone. If you don't want to be depressed, stop right here.
Anyway, you remember my friend Cliff. He was a teacher at McCaw, now a in special ed and you all met him at my birthday party. He is gay and he and his partner Ron, Who is handicapped ( he was then, but now he is
even worse and is confined to a wheel chair, for various problems, including lung cancer, with Cliff being his
only caregiver. Last week Cliff complained about severe abdominal pain and finally ended up in the ER at
St Rose and then transferred to another campus where he was admitted. The dx was startling, the doctor said
he had cancer and it was terminal with a maximum of months to live and maybe only weeks. They told him to
go home and do whatever he wanted to do. They said it was a packed cancer (silent with no symptoms) and he
had it for a long time. His belly had filled up with fluid which was the cause of his pain. they drained the fluid
which made him feel much better, but also in a state of shock. He figured as did we all that he would go in and
they would fix him up and he would be better. He does have to see a surgeon on Tuesday to talk about removing his gall bladder (which seems like locking the barn after the horse is stolen) but maybe I don't know
all the facts. I am devastated. Cliff is a good friend and a wonderful teacher. His students dearly love him.
They are young and just wont understand.
today I went to church and waited for the comfort I sought--wrong--first song on the organ "how great thou
art" I think I am in trouble. The song after the message "beautiful Savior" which is my confirmation song and
always makes me cry. Hey Lord, what you setting me up for. Well being the power point person, I can slouch
down in my booth and wipe my tears and blow my nose and then WHAMMO just before the general prayer
Pastor David announced the death of a dear sweet lady who attended our service. She and her husb and are
from Wisconsin (near Waukesha where Lori lives) and we could have some lively conversations about our
trips. Kay was never a well person si nce I have known her. Apparently she was an alchoholic at some point
in her life and she suffered a stroke from it. It affected her mind and she was almost childlike. Her husband
had to take care of her, scold her, yell at her and was so good to her. He would guide her with his hand and
make her do the best she could. He loved her a lot and they just celebrated 51 y ears together. She used to
come up and say to me He's being bad and when I get him home I am going to kick his ass. I am going to
miss her.
Please keep all my friends in your prayers, and tomorrow I know, the SUN IS GOING TO SHINE
Monday, February 16, 2009
A FUNNY THING.................
happened at church yesterday, but
before I get into that, let me answer Dawn's questions from the last blog. Beth was called "betsy" from day one.
In those days Betsy was not a name you used when you were a grown-up, so she was named Beth, to be called
Betsy. When did that change? Probably when she was in school, early on. they did not use nicknames then like they do today. What you registered as is what you were called, and you were registered as you were on your birth certificate. In those days children did not have social security #'s either. Anyway, when teachers,
etc started calling your child "Beth" eventually it just evolves.
anyway, I was sitting at the sound panel, getting ready for services when my friend Tammi came over to say Hi
Tammi and I did church secretary duties for the month of Dec and Jan when we were without a secretary and
'we became friends. We knew each other from services, but I didn't know her name. tammi sings in the choir
so she only comes to our early service maybe once a month. Well, the choir sang yesterday and she came over for a hug and was telling me that Pete"s ( her significant other for 30 years) daughter and grandchildren had come for a visit, so she was glad to come to church. I laughed and said for "peace and quiet" which brought the following anecdote to mind about dad. I shared it with Tammi and now with you
for years one of dad's favorite things to say to friends was Y up, took my wife to Vegas this weekend for
peace and quiet, and all I got was quiet (and all you guys got was "this lousy t shirt ]
Love you all have a great day
before I get into that, let me answer Dawn's questions from the last blog. Beth was called "betsy" from day one.
In those days Betsy was not a name you used when you were a grown-up, so she was named Beth, to be called
Betsy. When did that change? Probably when she was in school, early on. they did not use nicknames then like they do today. What you registered as is what you were called, and you were registered as you were on your birth certificate. In those days children did not have social security #'s either. Anyway, when teachers,
etc started calling your child "Beth" eventually it just evolves.
anyway, I was sitting at the sound panel, getting ready for services when my friend Tammi came over to say Hi
Tammi and I did church secretary duties for the month of Dec and Jan when we were without a secretary and
'we became friends. We knew each other from services, but I didn't know her name. tammi sings in the choir
so she only comes to our early service maybe once a month. Well, the choir sang yesterday and she came over for a hug and was telling me that Pete"s ( her significant other for 30 years) daughter and grandchildren had come for a visit, so she was glad to come to church. I laughed and said for "peace and quiet" which brought the following anecdote to mind about dad. I shared it with Tammi and now with you
for years one of dad's favorite things to say to friends was Y up, took my wife to Vegas this weekend for
peace and quiet, and all I got was quiet (and all you guys got was "this lousy t shirt ]
Love you all have a great day
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
ONCE (pronounced on-key) UPON A TIME
a long, long, long, long, long (oops) time ago, in the land of Beer and Bratz, Feb 3, 19-- dawned
bright and sunny and cold. Wayne got up and went to work as usual, Dodi stayed in bed, knowing a busy day was ahead, soon-to-be big sister Dawn was starting to wake up and Grandma Steffen was visiting, so she could take care of Dawn when mom went to the hospital to
have the new baby. The baby was due 2/4 and the first one was a day late in coming and all seemed quiet on the home front.
All of a sudden, I got the urge to go to the bathroom. What, I can't control it--my water broke. I
had not experienced this with the first baby, so I really wasn't sure. In the meantime my mom
got up and we decided maybe we should call Wayne. Man he had just barely gotten to work, but
was really glad to come home. My first thought, stop at the bakery on your way home for "schnecks" sweet rolls to the non-Wisconsinite. What go to the hospital on an empty stomach--
NOT ME. But the practical me called the doctor and told his service what was happening and
they suggested I go to the hospital. Wayne came home and we had coffee and schnecks and
just sat and chatted. A few pains here and there, but nothing to write home about.
It was at this point I decided that if it were a girl (this was before the days when you could tell
a baby's sex a head of time) we would NOT be calling this baby Heidi Jo, I just couldn't picture
calling a 40 year old woman Heidi (didn't know about the famous Madam at the time), but if
it was a girl we would call her Beth Anne, it had to be a girl, we had no boys name. I wanted
to name a boy Michael, but our friends had just lost their baby to spinal Bifida and his name
was Michael, so I couldn't do that.
Well, several schnecks later (about 11 am) I said, well, I guess we'd better go to the hospital
as I was in serious labor by now, but not hungry. Just as we opened the door, the phone rang
My mother answered it and said hello to Dr. Bernhardt, who said Mrs. Steffen, where the heck
is your daughter. I have been waiting for her. OOPS I whispered, tell him I am on my way.
First thing he said to me was "didn't you know one the water breaks, the baby can come
anytime" Nope, didn't know that. St. Mary's hospital is down by the lake front, and being
in the middle of winter, there was lots of snow and ice, but the su n was shining, and tho it was
cold and icy, it was a beautiful winter day.
You girls probably don't know about this stuff, but in the dark ages when you had a baby you
had to go thru some demoralizing stuff, like having your bottom shaved (oh, those growing pains) and also were given an enema. Think about it, enema cramps combined with labor
pains,
About 3 hours later they decided I was ready for the delivery room, where they gave me gas
and when I woke up I had a new baby, a girl Beth Anne Webb 7 lbs 8 oz (or was it 15) and all was well. Now when they administered the gas it was at the last minute, just before the ap
oh, heck, I cant spell it, but it was just before the incision and the baby comes. They keep you
under until the stitching is done and then that's it. You are not out very long and when you
come to you are tired, but relaxed. Not so my husband he came to see me and fainted dead
away between the beds. I rang for the nurse and she suggested he go get something to eat,
I guess he needed more than schnecks.
Anyhow in t hose days they kept the mom and baby for 5 days. We weren't even allowed out
of bed the first couple of days, but they gave me an exercise board at the foot of the bed, two
planks, about an inch thick and 8 inches wide and the length of the width of the bed, the two
boards were connected by springs and you "walked" this way. Also several times a day they
would come and put a lamp under the sheets, high density , and this was supposted to promote
healing. I don't know if it worked or not, but once I got out of the hospital I was strong and
healthy and rarin' to go.
A day or so after Betsy came into this world, a very very old nun came in and said, I remember
you you were here about a year and a half ago, and you had a baby girl then, too. I don't remember her name, but she was retired and her main job was visiting the patients. I know
she could have read that in my charts, but it made me feel good anyhow. That catholic hospital
was such a caring facility, and they didn't even care if I was a Lutheran.
H APPY BIRHTDAY BETH
bright and sunny and cold. Wayne got up and went to work as usual, Dodi stayed in bed, knowing a busy day was ahead, soon-to-be big sister Dawn was starting to wake up and Grandma Steffen was visiting, so she could take care of Dawn when mom went to the hospital to
have the new baby. The baby was due 2/4 and the first one was a day late in coming and all seemed quiet on the home front.
All of a sudden, I got the urge to go to the bathroom. What, I can't control it--my water broke. I
had not experienced this with the first baby, so I really wasn't sure. In the meantime my mom
got up and we decided maybe we should call Wayne. Man he had just barely gotten to work, but
was really glad to come home. My first thought, stop at the bakery on your way home for "schnecks" sweet rolls to the non-Wisconsinite. What go to the hospital on an empty stomach--
NOT ME. But the practical me called the doctor and told his service what was happening and
they suggested I go to the hospital. Wayne came home and we had coffee and schnecks and
just sat and chatted. A few pains here and there, but nothing to write home about.
It was at this point I decided that if it were a girl (this was before the days when you could tell
a baby's sex a head of time) we would NOT be calling this baby Heidi Jo, I just couldn't picture
calling a 40 year old woman Heidi (didn't know about the famous Madam at the time), but if
it was a girl we would call her Beth Anne, it had to be a girl, we had no boys name. I wanted
to name a boy Michael, but our friends had just lost their baby to spinal Bifida and his name
was Michael, so I couldn't do that.
Well, several schnecks later (about 11 am) I said, well, I guess we'd better go to the hospital
as I was in serious labor by now, but not hungry. Just as we opened the door, the phone rang
My mother answered it and said hello to Dr. Bernhardt, who said Mrs. Steffen, where the heck
is your daughter. I have been waiting for her. OOPS I whispered, tell him I am on my way.
First thing he said to me was "didn't you know one the water breaks, the baby can come
anytime" Nope, didn't know that. St. Mary's hospital is down by the lake front, and being
in the middle of winter, there was lots of snow and ice, but the su n was shining, and tho it was
cold and icy, it was a beautiful winter day.
You girls probably don't know about this stuff, but in the dark ages when you had a baby you
had to go thru some demoralizing stuff, like having your bottom shaved (oh, those growing pains) and also were given an enema. Think about it, enema cramps combined with labor
pains,
About 3 hours later they decided I was ready for the delivery room, where they gave me gas
and when I woke up I had a new baby, a girl Beth Anne Webb 7 lbs 8 oz (or was it 15) and all was well. Now when they administered the gas it was at the last minute, just before the ap
oh, heck, I cant spell it, but it was just before the incision and the baby comes. They keep you
under until the stitching is done and then that's it. You are not out very long and when you
come to you are tired, but relaxed. Not so my husband he came to see me and fainted dead
away between the beds. I rang for the nurse and she suggested he go get something to eat,
I guess he needed more than schnecks.
Anyhow in t hose days they kept the mom and baby for 5 days. We weren't even allowed out
of bed the first couple of days, but they gave me an exercise board at the foot of the bed, two
planks, about an inch thick and 8 inches wide and the length of the width of the bed, the two
boards were connected by springs and you "walked" this way. Also several times a day they
would come and put a lamp under the sheets, high density , and this was supposted to promote
healing. I don't know if it worked or not, but once I got out of the hospital I was strong and
healthy and rarin' to go.
A day or so after Betsy came into this world, a very very old nun came in and said, I remember
you you were here about a year and a half ago, and you had a baby girl then, too. I don't remember her name, but she was retired and her main job was visiting the patients. I know
she could have read that in my charts, but it made me feel good anyhow. That catholic hospital
was such a caring facility, and they didn't even care if I was a Lutheran.
H APPY BIRHTDAY BETH
Monday, January 26, 2009
PASTORS D AND D
thank you thank you thank you
DATELINE: MONDAY 12/29/08 MOVING DAY
472 Teddy bears moved from Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, heading for Good Bears of the World teddy bear nursery, waiting to be sorted and then sent out to 472 new homes where
eager arms and warm hearts await them.
It is always so heartwarming to see the family of teddy bears grow from a handful of bears under the Christmas tree, until, no matter where you look, bears are everywhere you look,
climbinb up any Christmas tree they can find, hiding under the tree, and I even saw one sitting
in a chair waiting for the worship service to begin. The final count was amazing. Our church
family always comes through, a little rougher this year as there were only three weeks between
thanksgiving and Christmas.
A week before Christmas I received an e-mail from Good Bears of the World, stating that they
had received a request from CASA for 600 bears to be given to abused and neglected children.
They were able to fill that request and many of the bears were from the 2007 bears donated
from Christ the Servant Lutheran Church. Since we have been involved in this project, over
40,000 have been gifted. Our donations total approximately 3,000.
I am quite sure that we are probably the only church that decorates their tree with teddy bears
and their friends, but I understand one of our very young members feels that all trees should
be trimmed in this fashion. Who knows where that trend ma y go.
Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH and in the words of Tiny Tim "GOD BLESS US, EVERYONE"
The Teddy Bear Lady
DATELINE: MONDAY 12/29/08 MOVING DAY
472 Teddy bears moved from Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, heading for Good Bears of the World teddy bear nursery, waiting to be sorted and then sent out to 472 new homes where
eager arms and warm hearts await them.
It is always so heartwarming to see the family of teddy bears grow from a handful of bears under the Christmas tree, until, no matter where you look, bears are everywhere you look,
climbinb up any Christmas tree they can find, hiding under the tree, and I even saw one sitting
in a chair waiting for the worship service to begin. The final count was amazing. Our church
family always comes through, a little rougher this year as there were only three weeks between
thanksgiving and Christmas.
A week before Christmas I received an e-mail from Good Bears of the World, stating that they
had received a request from CASA for 600 bears to be given to abused and neglected children.
They were able to fill that request and many of the bears were from the 2007 bears donated
from Christ the Servant Lutheran Church. Since we have been involved in this project, over
40,000 have been gifted. Our donations total approximately 3,000.
I am quite sure that we are probably the only church that decorates their tree with teddy bears
and their friends, but I understand one of our very young members feels that all trees should
be trimmed in this fashion. Who knows where that trend ma y go.
Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH and in the words of Tiny Tim "GOD BLESS US, EVERYONE"
The Teddy Bear Lady
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
MY LORD, WHAT A MORNING......
history was made today. when I got up this morning, I thought, oh just another inaugaration day, you've seen one,
you've seen them all. WRONG! The manufacurer's of Kleenex today has much to be thankful for today, I have never
shed so many tears in such a short time as this morning. I have always known that someday there would be an
african-american president. I think I am even surprised that it took this long. I have never really seen people as black
or white or red or yellow, just as people----some I like and some I don't like so much. This wont change much I suspect. As you all know, I was not happy with the choices we had this election, but I do respect that the majority of
the people selected our new president and I respect the office he now holds. I will support him and pray for him and
all our leaders and for our country. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS US EVERYONE.
you've seen them all. WRONG! The manufacurer's of Kleenex today has much to be thankful for today, I have never
shed so many tears in such a short time as this morning. I have always known that someday there would be an
african-american president. I think I am even surprised that it took this long. I have never really seen people as black
or white or red or yellow, just as people----some I like and some I don't like so much. This wont change much I suspect. As you all know, I was not happy with the choices we had this election, but I do respect that the majority of
the people selected our new president and I respect the office he now holds. I will support him and pray for him and
all our leaders and for our country. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS US EVERYONE.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
DAWN REMEMBERS........................
going to look at Christmas lights while I checked to see if Santa had come to visit.
That brings me to the story of a "black eye for Christmas" While I was "checking" to see if Santa had indeed come, I was naturally kind of busy "checking". After all how long could daddy keep the kids interested in christmas lights when they were eager to see if Santa had been there. So hustling and bustling was the order of the
evening and while making one of the many trips from the closet to the Christmas tree
I spotted a piece of Kleenex lying on the floor. As I bent down to pick it up a powerful sneeze crept up on me and as I sneezed my eye connected with the book case
and by morning I had a beautiful shiner. Of course, I embellished the story, after
all nobody was going to believe the truth anyhow. C'mon now, sneezing was the real cause. I really believe Dad had the easiest job, but then he would never have remembered where everything was anyway.
I remember one Christmas Eve, Dad and left for work and dawn, beth, and mike were
down for the night (I thought) They were probably 4,3, and 2 years of age. Anyhow
we had gotten the girls "life size dolls" that year. The dolls were about the size
of a 3 year old. I had done some straightening up and walking thru the house I spotted the girls by the Christmas tree. I said "I thought I had you guys in bed"
No comment, only then did I realize it was the dolls I was talking to. I was sure glad no one had seen or heard me.
I mentioned in my last blog that we always kept our tree up a long time. Proof
positive---my tree is still up today. Now I don't want to hear "Graaaandma" or
"MooooooooM" I talked to my cousin Ruth in Wisconsin yesterday and she said I guess
I should really take my tree down..............I guess I just come by it naturally.
We always tried to keep it up until my sister's birthday (2/11) If it didn't dry
dry out too much that it. One year we even kept it up until Easter, but I am sure
Easter must have been early that year. One of the first years Dad & I had our own
tree in Milwaukee, I remember it had really dried out. We opened the window, we lived on the 2nd floor and the window was on the side yard, so no one was really
around and after making sure the coast was clear, we shoved it out the window. So
far, so good, until we looked. Yeah, the tree was out in the yard, but all the
needles were on the living room floor.
I still love Christmas and I still hate it when all the decorations and songs are
stored away for another year. I miss the warm and fuzzy feeling of the holidays.
I am still helping out at the church, but I look forward to them hiring a new secretary and letting me get back to being a very active couch potato
Until next blog-----luv'nhugs
That brings me to the story of a "black eye for Christmas" While I was "checking" to see if Santa had indeed come, I was naturally kind of busy "checking". After all how long could daddy keep the kids interested in christmas lights when they were eager to see if Santa had been there. So hustling and bustling was the order of the
evening and while making one of the many trips from the closet to the Christmas tree
I spotted a piece of Kleenex lying on the floor. As I bent down to pick it up a powerful sneeze crept up on me and as I sneezed my eye connected with the book case
and by morning I had a beautiful shiner. Of course, I embellished the story, after
all nobody was going to believe the truth anyhow. C'mon now, sneezing was the real cause. I really believe Dad had the easiest job, but then he would never have remembered where everything was anyway.
I remember one Christmas Eve, Dad and left for work and dawn, beth, and mike were
down for the night (I thought) They were probably 4,3, and 2 years of age. Anyhow
we had gotten the girls "life size dolls" that year. The dolls were about the size
of a 3 year old. I had done some straightening up and walking thru the house I spotted the girls by the Christmas tree. I said "I thought I had you guys in bed"
No comment, only then did I realize it was the dolls I was talking to. I was sure glad no one had seen or heard me.
I mentioned in my last blog that we always kept our tree up a long time. Proof
positive---my tree is still up today. Now I don't want to hear "Graaaandma" or
"MooooooooM" I talked to my cousin Ruth in Wisconsin yesterday and she said I guess
I should really take my tree down..............I guess I just come by it naturally.
We always tried to keep it up until my sister's birthday (2/11) If it didn't dry
dry out too much that it. One year we even kept it up until Easter, but I am sure
Easter must have been early that year. One of the first years Dad & I had our own
tree in Milwaukee, I remember it had really dried out. We opened the window, we lived on the 2nd floor and the window was on the side yard, so no one was really
around and after making sure the coast was clear, we shoved it out the window. So
far, so good, until we looked. Yeah, the tree was out in the yard, but all the
needles were on the living room floor.
I still love Christmas and I still hate it when all the decorations and songs are
stored away for another year. I miss the warm and fuzzy feeling of the holidays.
I am still helping out at the church, but I look forward to them hiring a new secretary and letting me get back to being a very active couch potato
Until next blog-----luv'nhugs
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