Auto Mechanics

Okay Grandpa, I'm ready to work on my truck.


Let me get my tools.


First you open the hood and tinker around.


What next?


Do I really need a hammer?


Hahaha...I see how to do it, Grandpa.


Just a few taps here.


Tap, tap, tap.


Do we really have to crawl under it?


How's this?


Grandpa, I'm not sure I like working on cars.

Amazing Grace

My dad sent this to me and I had to post it. I could listen to this all day.

Distractions

How else can I explain why I have 9 unfinished, yet saved posts? I can't seem to bring my thoughts to completion. I put them on hold, but never return to finish.

I love being a grandmother to Ethan. It is rewarding, challenging and sometimes the hardest thing I've ever done. How I wish he could open his mouth and plainly tell me what he is thinking. I want to answer the questions I'm sure he asks, but I don't understand. What must life be like to not have others comprehend what you are saying, what you are feeling, the questions you are asking and nobody answers?


Fishing with Ethan was fun. We went to a fish farm, where the cost is not in patience of waiting all day. The price is paid in length, nearly a dollar per inch of fish. After Ethan caught two and his grandpa caught one, we decided we had more than our fair share.
















We carried the bucket of fish to be measured out, gutted and iced for the drive home. I'm not sure we adequately explained to Ethan what was about to happen to his beloved fish.

















While Christina headed off to find a restroom, the young man who took the bucket of fish invited Ethan to watch him work. After declaring we had nearly 45 inches of fish, the young man skillfully went to work. He cut out parts, explaining to Ethan what each one was.

As he was finishing, I noticed Ethan wobble. I recognized the pale gray color, as the blood drained from his face, right before he passed out. Down he went.

Thankfully, we caught him as he fell. I laid him on the wet ground. His fists curled and he began seizing. Thankfully, the only injury he sustained was a cut by his eye.

After getting fluids down him and food in him, he was exhausted and promptly fell asleep. I needed the quiet ride home to recover.


As soon as we arrived home, Ethan pulled out the ziploc bag of headless fish and proudly showed them off. He couldn't figure out why his Aunt Sarabeth shrieked and pushed hin away as he held them up for her to examine. He plunked them bag and all into a bucket, just like after he caught them. I suspect he thought that fish belonged in a bucket after being caught. I somehow convinced him the fish would be happier sleeping in the freezer. But he'll pull them out and show them to you if you ask.

Good Morning

I'm trying to wake up.  Really, I am.  I know the clock reads 10 a.m. 

I determined to go to bed early last night, but when I looked at the clock, it read 5 minutes until 1:00.  Well, ok.  In 5 minutes, I will turn off the lights and lay my head on the pillow.  I glanced at the clock again and told myself, "As soon as the little hand is on the 12, I'll get out of this chair and make my way back to the bedroom."

I got busy again.  The girls and I chatted.  We had a discussion.  We disagreed amicably.  We chatted some more.  I began to feel a wee bit tired.  But darn that clock.  It still said 5 minutes until 1:00 a.m.  I wondered how long I'd been fooled by the sleepy little clock, with the stilled pendulum.  I squinted to read the computer screen.  The tiny numbers were 2:22.

I said good-night, turned off the light, feeling a little contrite.

Estes Park Fishing

Fishing

Mobile blogging-Taking Ethan fishing

Thunk Thursday

Haven't done this for awhile, but here is a Thunk Thursday for you.

Always Changing, Always The Same

The more things change

(Ethan at 2)

(Ethan now)

(Ethan & Me)

(Me & Ethan)

The more they stay the same.











Happy 8th Birthday Ethan!!!!

Happy Birthday Christopher!

When Christopher was 3,


he understood things literally.

Wealth & Riches

Can I just say I have the best mom and dad in the whole world? They truly amaze me. Here they are on a recent Alaskan Cruise with 3 of their grandchildren.

If I didn't know better, I'd believe these two were rich. Dad is a retired state trooper. Mom's a retired teacher. So it isn't as if they had high paying jobs. Being retired doesn't mean doing not working. Mom is no longer in a classroom, but supplements their income teaching online college courses and developing curriculum. She takes classes herself, every chance she can.

Mom started out as a stay-at-home mom or more simply, a homemaker. Before going to work for the State Highway Department, Dad worked for the phone company and actually got to climb telephone poles. By ages 24 & 25, they'd blossomed into a family of 6. Twenty years later, they'd raised 4 great kids-one of which happens to be me. Smile.

Mom & Dad are the most generous, fun-loving people I know. They've ventured to Europe for 2 years. Mom taught and Dad learned more about his German heritage. Since then they've taken 4 trips and 6 grandkids to Europe. These excursions, high school graduation gifts, were their way of giving their grandchildren an expanded world view. When overseas travel was not recommended, they embarked on a Mexican Cruise with two grandsons.

They've zip-lined through Mexico, white water rafted in Alaska,

ventured through London Cathedrals and wandered through Stonehenge and Castles,


explored Scotland in search of Nessie, the loch ness monster, hiked, biked, and for their 40th anniversary took the entire family hot-air ballooning.


(This is Hilary rock wall climbing on board the ship.)

My parents have invested so much into their kids and grandchildren. I've only mentioned some of their adventures. There is so much more. They've welcomed grandkids into their home not only to visit, but to live for varying times and seasons-along with adopting stray pets.

Mom is currently giving once-a-week art lessons to her 6 year old granddaughter who seems to have inherited her grandmothers artistic talent.

Mom and Dad took their great-grandson, Ethan, on his first trip to Disneyland.


In addition to investing into the lives of their family, they somehow find time to volunteer their time at church on committees, ushering, using creative talents to bring beauty into their world and so much more. And of course taking the time to pray for others.

I could go on and on about how much Mom and Dad have given to others, but I will end here. In the beginning of this post, I mentioned that my parents are not wealthy, but I was mistaken. By enriching the lives of others, they too are richer. Abundant blessings spill over to everyone they meet.

Thanks Mom and Dad for the wealthy heritage! Your generosity astounds me.

America The Beautiful

Today I see a strange new thing
Emerging from our land.
Instead of strength in unity
We celebrate diversity.

Arms no longer linked
Reflecting strength and courage.
One nation under God
Is now America diverged.

We honor all our differences
Divided into scores
Of varying religions
And atheists galore.

Embracing every new idea
Forgetting moral absolutes
Two parties fight accusingly
And government intrudes

On each and every right that was
purchased in blood, and wars and such.

Sweet Land Of Liberty

Pilgrims came from distant shores,
Fleeing lands of tyranny.
Joined together in brotherhood,
Found freedom and liberty

America the melting pot
Land of opportunity
One nation, under God
America came to be.

Arms linked in one accord,
Living in harmony,
Established the belief
All men are created equally.

Land of the free, home of the brave
Indivisible with justice for all,
America the beautiful
The proud, the strong and tall.


"My country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty
Of thee I sing;"


"Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From every mountainside
Let freedom ring!"

Wearing An Apron

Or is it a tail?

In high school, I worked in food service. We were required to wear aprons. It was quite handy to dry your hands, kept your clothes clean, and a multitude of uses. The ones I remember the most were red. They were folded in half with a plastic cord that tied around my waist. Yes, plastic. Not sure why it wasn't fabric, but it most certainly was a plastic cord.

In recent months, while working away in the kitchen, my little buddy often joins me. One day, he tucked a dish towel in the back of his pants. I thought maybe it was a tail and he was pretending to be a dog. In fact, I called him my little doggie and patted him on the head. He must have thought I was dumb. It's nice he didn't tell me that.

When it became a ritual, I figured that it must be his interpretation of an apron. Christina does take him out to eat often. I was certain when he also insisted on wearing a button on his shirt. He has these nice round buttons from Disneyland, that he pins to his shirt. It's his own version of a name tag. I know these things because I know how Ethan thinks and what he is saying through his actions. Grandmas just know these things.

I was working away in the kitchen, but stepped outside for a minute to see what was going on outdoors. Ethan ran after me, carrying an "apron." He tucked it neatly in my back pocket.



Much nicer than the aprons with plastic strings. And maybe my white capris will stay cleaner.

Must Be Summer

Baseball and summer...they just go together. On Saturday we attended Brian's baseball game.


Ethan came with us. We sat in a nice shady area making the players look miniature. Ethan chased a squirrel.

He didn't seem to notice that we were there to watch a game. That is until Saturday.

We were outside and turn around to find this.

Grandpa had to wear a helmet too.



He wanted to pitch.


It was a great day.



Until I thought it would be easier for Ethan to play T-ball. Except we didn't have a T. So what's a grandma to do? Send Sarabeth to the store for a T-ball set. And while waiting, hold the ball out for him to hit off my hand.

Not smart! I don't have a picture for that, but let me tell you, the boy swings hard. He must have been watching Brian. And don't believe it when they say those plastic bats are soft.

Happy 21st Birthday Sarabeth!

Some random photos of our just-turned-21 year old.


In Colorado we like fires.



A beautiful girl! (And if you love the necklace and earrings, I got them from here. The proceeds go to help a friend adopt 2 precious girls.)



Our night out last evening to celebrate at the stroke of midnight.



Happy Birthday Sarabeth!

A Careful Man

A Careful Man

A careful man I've got to be,
A little fellow follows me.

I do not dare to go astray
For fear he'll go the self same way.

I must not madly turn aside
Where pleasure's paths are smooth and wide.

And join in wine's revelry,
A little fellow follows me.

I cannot once escape his eyes;
Whatever he sees me do he tries,

Like me he says he's going to be,
That little chap that follows me.

He thinks that I am good and fine,
Believes in every word of mine;

The base in me he must not see,
That little chap that follows me.

I must remember as I go
Through summer sun and winter snow,

I'm building for the years to be,
A little fellow follows me.

~Author Unknown

Happy Father's Day to my Dad, Michael, and all of the fathers out there.

So Sick

Several times, young people have exclaimed "your car is so sick!" At first I was perplexed. I like to think my car is way cool. I came home and asked my teens if sick meant good or bad. I was informed that it meant these people liked my car.

That was several years ago. I've become accustomed to hearing "sick" in reference to lots of seemingly good things. But apparently, coming from and adult it is questionable.

Hilary missed seeing America's Got Talent. Since I recorded it, I turned it on so she and David could watch it. Right before one act began, I turned to them and innocently said, "oh, you have to see this. It's sick!"

Silence. Then Elisabeth whispers to Hilary, "I think she means it's cool." Then gales of laughter. David couldn't stop laughing. Holy Cow! What's the big deal??? Apparently not a cool thing to say. But funny enough for them to post on Facebook.

P.S. I do have a sweet ride. Go ahead, laugh all you want.

The Mirror

I looked in the mirror today. What did I see? Poised in front of me, coiffed pleasantly, I looked for kindness, gentleness so joyfully. Primped and primed with multiple aids, manipulated so carefully. Sleeked and slicked for smooth control. Where is the self control that should be standing there? In my foundation disguise and cover up, had I concealed what I've worked so hard to achieve?

In my efforts to appear put together, I managed to erase patience along with my laugh lines. Strands of love and peace colored over by fierce, flaming red. Not a single gray hint of meekness.

I peer to the side and peeking all I see is discontent. On the other side self-centeredness stands boldly. I attempt to pull them back, a ponytail might do. Tightly I hold on, but their reins slip from my hands. Unleashed they hide the thankfulness I used to see quite often.

I didn't like what I saw in the mirror today, but truth is better than lies.

A Piece Of History

While watching the news last night, a story aired commemorating the 66th anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy-more commonly referred to as D-Day. I listened as 87 year old Lewis Johnson shared his first hand experience of this historic event. His eyes filled with tears. He choked up and couldn't speak for a moment. He said for the first 54 years of his marriage to his wife, she had no clue what he'd lived through those seconds, minutes, and hours. It wasn't until Larry Cappetto, in his attempt to preserve history, interviewed him and began asking questions.

My mind went back to a memory of my own, from 22 years ago. I was in Arizona, staying with my inlaws. My mother-in-law was with her oldest daughter, who'd recently birthed first child, in another state. Michael was back at work in Colorado. I was exhausted. I put my 3 young children to bed, then sat down in the family room with my father-in-law, Ed. He often watched old westerns on television, but this night it appeared to me more of a war or military kind of film. It wasn't very interesting to this 26 year old at the time, but I pretended to watch, while my mind went elsewhere.

"It wasn't quite like that," Ed seemed to say out of nowhere. Embarrassed at not knowing what he was talking about, I answered, "What was it like?" At that moment, he began to share his story with me. He told of having to always be prepared as he never knew when he'd be called out on a mission. One night he'd gone to bed, well aware of unrest. He and the other men (most were 18-20 year olds) were awakened before dawn. They had 15 minutes to be dressed and out to the hangars, prepared to fly to an unknown destination. They didn't actually receive their orders until they were climbing into their aircrafts.


As Ed spoke, my mind was racing. I felt foolish for not having paid more attention in high school history class. I felt guilty for being the recipient of such privileged information. Michael had said many times, that his father never spoke about his war time activities, much like Lewis Johnson who'd kept it to himself also. I wished I had a recording device to capture all he was saying. I wanted to retain every word he said, but knew in my tired state I'd never remember the details. I wanted to ask more questions, but the moment seemed too sacred. He spoke in stops and starts, as if too painful to remember. I could see in his eyes, he was reliving every bit of it. He'd blink as if trying to erase a particularly awful image. Every ounce of my being tried to absorb all that went on in that passage of time, wishing I hadn't been the sole heir of this piece of history.


During the last couple years of Ed's life, we had the privilege of having him over for dinner at least twice a week. Even though his short term memory began to diminish, the clarity of his longtime memory increased-as if the forgotten past was full to capacity and needed to be released. We never knew when it would happen, but every once in awhile another piece of history would come spilling out. Most often it was an event related to the Korean war, especially since we often talked about Christopher and Lauren living in Korea. At the end of these intriguing tales, my mother-in-law would often exclaim, "I've never heard that story."


Today would have been Ed's 87th birthday. Last December, a precious piece of history passed away with him. I'm so sorry I wasn't able to preserve more of his story.



This was Ed's 86th birthday. He was busy explaining something here, after blowing out his candles.

I have a message on my answering machine, of his voice. I can't bring myself to erase it.

Way-to-go Hilary!

I knew this day would happen, I just didn't think it would come this soon. Hilary, the baby of the family, is not only 18, but she is a high school graduate. No more sack lunches to make. No more setting an alarm for 6:08 a.m.

Congratulations Hilary. Last week graduation. Tomorrow Alaskan Cruise. Next month? The world is waiting.