Pfff...pfff... Tap..tap..

Is this thing on?

Ahem---

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!!!!

That is all. Carry on.

School Days

First Day of School 1982

Todd: "Mo-om, why do you make me wear these socks?"

Cami: " I make 'em look gooood"

It's August. It's hot. And school has started. Cami (uh, Mizz Chrishen) started Aug. 3. The students started Aug. 10. I'm old school, and this just seems wrong. Labor Day? Pfft, a one day holiday after already being in school 4 weeks.

First Day of School 2009

Fast forward several years and the student has become the teacher. This school is over 60 years old. The plaster is pealing, it needs paint, the windows don't work and climate control is--uncontrolled.

Her first lesson of the year is the story of the goldfish. You see, a goldfish has such a small brain that each time he swims to the other side of the bowl, he thinks it is someplace new. He cannot remember that he was just here a few seconds ago. So, as the year progresses, she asks students who do not follow directions if they are a goldfish. A gentle reminder. She also does her "actions have consequences" speech. And demonstrates that good behavior will be rewarded while bad behavior will not. (the lure of the forbidden stick of gum.) Of course, all these admonitions must be repeated constantly all year. But, by the end of the year, she has well trained pupils.

Uh oh, here comes someone with goldfish food. Must swim to the top, and then explore the depths of this pretty new bowl. Just keep swimming....

Fire And Eyes

Fire! Fire!

Tuesday morning the leasing office of our apartments was struck by lightning. The resulting fire completely destroyed the building, which is only about 50 yards from our apartment. This video was taken from the back side by the pool. It turned the pool into an overflowing mud puddle. (sob).There were several firefighters inside when the roof collapsed, but all got out safely. I slept through it (?) but awoke to the street filled with firefighters. Excitement everywhere. The only building affected was the one that was not occupied. Lucky that.

These eyes. These eyes have seen a lotta--whoops, must get song out of head.

So, a trip to the optometrist for new lens prescription turned into poking holes into David's eyes with a laser. Just think of it as new plumbing for the eye.

These, already pitiful, eyes have pre-glaucoma. One eye has already had laser surgery. The other in a couple of weeks.. Damn, damn, damn.

Good news, no visual loss yet. Bad news, well hell, he has glaucoma! ('scuse me--pre-glaucoma..whatever)

Addiction

Is there something wrong with this??

The Prayer

Had to share this. Sent to me by a friend. Well known song.
Great lyrics, beautiful music--now even better, for your viewing pleasure, with a slide show.
Enjoy!! (I did. Always makes me a little misty.)

Bear Lake

My favorite people atop my favorite place.

Twelve (12!?!) years ago this month

My whole childhood Bear Lake was not just a destination, but an event. The planning began a year ahead when reservations had to be made to get the desired cabins at Blue Water. Weeks before the appointed date, lists were made, menus decided, shopping was done, duties assigned.
Bear Lake was where our young family spent every vacation. You want family vacations?--this was it. The ultimate in family and friend gatherings.

The time spent at this glorious lake remains the fondest of my growing up years. Once you have done Bear Lake, all others pale in comparison. The blue, clear, cold water just can't be matched.

There was the sunburns, the ritual of the first time you got up on skis followed, as if it were written in stone, the first time you crossed the wake or dropped a ski. The obligatory early morning dip in the freezing lake to catch the best water of the day.

All these memories, and more, are forever with me.

David, Cami, Todd 1978

As the children grew up, married and had their own children, the tradition continued. It continues today. More upscale (no more camp stoves, cabins or tents), and each family now has it's own timetable and traditions. But, the seed that was planted all those years ago, continues to grow and blossom.

Me, Cami, Todd 1983

(Hint: always place the children in front.)

Since I left, my memories of Bear Lake remain childhood memories. Except for the occasional visit, our vacations, by necessity, have been closer to home. The Gulf of Mexico was our vacation of choice. We also went as a family with friends.

But nothing equals the beauty and grandeur of that great blue body of water in the mountains.

With A Little Help From His Friends

Something wonderful, sent by a friend.

"On July 4th the Boston Red Sox had a young man sing the Star Spangled Banner. He was somewhat disabled and there were other youngsters in the same condition with the players around the field as well those as standing near the batter’s box. He only sang a few notes when you realized he was not a renowned vocalist. A few bars more and he missed a word or two, there was some laughter and it was laughing with him, he and the lady with him were smiling.
Then…50,000 voices gallantly streamed in…!"

It is an outstanding display of fortitude on this young man's part and of love by those in attendance. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

This sports fan and soft heart enjoyed it plenty.

First Came Love

I did not know these people. They were young and in love. I knew them, much later, as mommy and daddy.

But read this..."Do not forget that we are God's children, loved-into-being; that our lives are not meaningless or accidental."

This young couple loved me and my siblings into being.
(I believe we are that sparkle in dad's eyes.)

Their wedding was many years ago. The consequences remain to this day.

Love Children

Cheryl and Marilee poolside in the resort town of Annabella.

The beginnings.

[No, it's not their anniversary or any other special day. Just found the quote and picture at the same time. Serendipity and a blog post!]

Nothin'--With Giggles

We live a small life. Much of what I see or hear reminds me of something I read or saw on TV. Shouldn't it be the other way around? So when a character on TV hoped she hadn't lost her ability to giggle, it tickled my mind.

HAVE I LOST MY ABILITY TO GIGGLE?

Test #1. Carrying the groceries from the car to the house I tripped over my own feet. Fell down-go boom. Groceries everywhere, me on the ground. Kinda funny to see, but it was more a "I've fallen and I can't get up" moment. No giggles.

Test #2. Spilled a full, iced, glass of diet coke. On the table, on the remote, on the book and dripped on my (empty) shoes. Maybe not funny to others, but spilling is a regular occurrence for me. A little (resigned) giggle.

Test #3. The security bars to our parking lot are stuck in the up position. David says "Well, that's not going to keep Al-Qaeda out!" Giggles.

Passed. Have not lost the ability to giggle.

Have you?

Loves Of My Life

From the moment I first saw you, the second that you were born, I knew that you were the love of my life.....

'I am born'. So wrote Charles Dickens in the book David Copperfield. Expectations are that we are born, go to school, graduate, get married, have children, have grandchildren, live a good life and die. Don't believe it.

What if the earth was made round so that we would not see too far down the road? I am a planner, a list maker, an organizer. I am not happy when the earth rotates and reveals an unplanned event. I curse it. That's not what I thought would happen to me now.

It is disconcerting, but life does not go from point A to point B in a straight line. And really,who would want it to. But no matter. I have my beautiful children. Quite simply the loves of my life!!