Laundry

Colleen at MommyAlwaysWins, (don't you just love the name of her blog?), commented about how her hubs is the worse when it comes to doing laundry.

Doing laundry isn’t my fave thing either. This is how I solved this, in case you're interested. As soon as my girls, were old enough to reach the controls on the washer and dryer, I taught them to do their own laundry. Then, I thought, “Wow, this is great, but I’m still doing tons of laundry!”

I kicked my brain in gear and figured out why. Bob had 4-5 times as much laundry as I did and he was very happy to have me do it for him. Well, I rebelled and informed him that if he wanted clean clothes, he could do his own laundry. I even bought him his own hamper. The poor guy wasn’t all that happy, but oh, well.

The reason he had so much more laundry that me, and still does, are two fold. My laundry consist of mainly under clothes, panties, bras and socks. I’m not very messy, and don’t perspire or have oily skin, so my outer clothes can be worn more than once. Now, Bob not only is messy, he perspires, has oily skin, and he’s an athlete. He’ll will change his clothes from the skin out, one, two, or three times a day, and each time, everything, except maybe Levi’s have to be washed, before being worn again. Before we retired, his work clothes were always sent to the dry cleaners; first, because he was in uniform, then when he made detective, he wore a suit every day with a shirt and tie; so we’re just talking leisure clothing and underwear, here.

To this day, Bob still does his own laundry. It’s been over 35 years, since I started this program, and he’s gotten used to the idea, and he's never had to hang it on a clothes line. That may have been the deal-breaker.

Happy Birthday Sharon

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday, Dear Sharon

Happy Birthday to you.

You're a wonderful mother.

A great Auntie.

A wonderful daughter

The best sister.

Happy, Happy Birthday.

Saturday Night

Last night Sharon met us at the Storm game. Oden is staying with us this week and it was Storm Hat Give Away night, so we all go a brand new white baseball cap. When we first got there, before the stands filled up, I tried to get a group shot of the four of us, using the tried and true, extend the arm method. Of course, it didn't work! No, kidding. Plus, Oden got weird with a pen, and his nose.

The Storm professional photographer, a nice young man walked by,

and offered to snap a photo.

Much better, but still with the damn pen!!!

When I threatened Oden with his well-being, he relented for this shot. Good thing, too.

The stadium was a sea of white hats.

Fun Monday - Fave B'day

My all time fave birthday was my 43rd.

This is the back story - When Bob turned 40, he's 4 years older than moi, I threw him a bang-up surprise birthday party. I rented adjoining suites at the Newporter Inn, right on the Bay. With the help of some of his cop buddies, we filled the bathtubs with beer and wine, and I had all kinds of nibbles, all over. I only invited his friends, none of mine, unless they were mutual friends. No one spilled the beans, either. That evening. I took Bob out to dinner at a swank place. He commented during dinner, Gee, you seem kind of excited tonight.

So, I pulled a hotel key out of my jacket pocket, this was in 1980 and hotels still used actual keys, and wiggled my eyebrows. Oh, he thought he knew what was coming. So we finished dinner and drove to the hotel. Boy, was he surprised. Both suites were full of his friends, police and civilians. It really was a wonderful night, eyebrows are wiggling. My Dad and Mom had been divorced and were remarried, and not friendly, but they and their spouses came. My Dad brought Carrie and Sharon, who were 10 and 12. It was great. So, Bob's 40th is one of my fave b'day stories.

Now, forward to my 40th, I was expecting payback, and nothing happened. Oh, I had a nice birthday, of course, but I was thinking Bob might try to get even for giving him a heart attack on his 40th. Nada.

So, my 43rd comes around, this is seven years later. My birthday was on Wednesday, a work day, we had a nice family dinner out, and that was about it. At the time I was running a garage, auto air conditioning, and we were open 1/2 day each summer Saturday. We were so busy in the summer, I'd tell Bob, See you in the fall or not at all. So, Saturday 7/11, four days after my birthday, I worked my 1/2 day and came home. I was in jeans and cowboy boots, and I was tired; didn't even notice all the extra cars on the street. I walked into my living room, and I just didn't get it.

The entire ceiling, including the adjacent kitchen was filled with pink helium filled balloons with silver streamers hanging down. (It took Bob and the girls several trips in the VW van to get them all.) When I got half way in about 60 family and friends yelled SUPRISE!!! Boy I sure was. Every one I could think of was there; it was really the best ever. Since this was 7 years later, my girls were 17 & 19, and were able to help Bob a great deal.

This guy wasn't there. But I got his photo and all the others from Google images.

So, guess what I got for my birthday, my 64th, last week? We've been in our house 10 years, and after that time things need to be replace or updated. So, last week we got 2 new toilets. Super Duper mega water saving, mega power flush toilets. Jen would be so proud of us. Woo Woo.

I just thought of another fave b'day. I spent my 24th birthday in labor, with Carrie. She was born 27 minutes after midnight, a logical girl that she is, arranged to have her own birthday. Boy was that a relief.

See why I love birthdays? They're the best.

Now go visit all the other Birthday revelers at our hostess, Penny @ Dungarees Ablaze. She's quite a party girl, and I can't wait to read her post, and all the other great Fun Monday'ers, (a new word!!)

Happy Birthday - Carrie

Today is my daughter Carries birthday, a milestone birthday this year.



Isn't she lovely?

Getting Older

Today is my 64th birthday. I like getting older, it's so much better than the alternative. I've liked each of my birthdays. Never had a melt-down about turning 30, 40, 50, or 60. Next year, I'll be eligible for Medicare, that's a really good thing. God bless Lyndon Johnson.

"Signs of Getting Old.”
Author Unknown

My forgetter's getting better.
But my rememberer is broke,
To you that may sound funny,
But, to me, that is no joke.

For when I'm here, I'm wondering,
If instead I should be there,
And when I try to think it through,
I haven't got a prayer.

Oft times I walk into a room,
And say, 'what am I here for ?"
I wrack my brain, but all in vain,
A zero is my score.

At times I put something away,
Where it is safe, but gee,
The person it is safest from,
Is generally me.

When shopping I may see someone,
Say 'Hi' and have a chat,
Then, when the person walks away
I ask myself, "Who the hell was that ?"

Yes my forgetter's getting better,
While my rememberer is broke,
And it's driving me crazy,
And that isn't any joke.

Happy Birthday to Me.

Yesterday.

The Fifth of July was a very busy one for us. First, I created a really great recipe to take to Aunt Vicky's for our annual family get-together. Attendance was down this year, there are usually 50-60 relatives from all over the U.S., this year it was closer to 40-45. But the good news is that a great time was had by all who attended. Plus, there was enough food for an army.

There was one mishap, created by moi, when Sharon called in the AM for directions to Aunt Vicky's, I used MapQuest to help her, I know better, I should have pulled out the Thomas Guide. I actually use MapQuest a lot, it can get you across the country, no problem, but the directions at the very end of your journey may not be accurate. So, that's what happened, yesterday, luckily she's not only beautiful and intelligent, she's tenacious, and found her way to the party, on her own.

After Aunt Vicky's we went home and fed the dogs, said sorry Lizzie and Dudley, we're leaving again. We went to a Storm baseball game. Oden's staying with us for a week, and that's one of his fave thing to do. It was a great game and we stayed to the end for the fireworks.

It was Storm jersey give away night, but they didn't anticipate such a large turn out and they ran out before we passed thru the turnstiles.

File this part under People are Really Good; after the game, as we were walking thru the parking lot to our car, a man asked if we'd gotten jerseys; when we said no, he gave Oden one. Oden was thrilled, he said,

This is the best, ever!

Anything can happen at a Class A minor leage baseball game, anything. Last night there were at least three gouls lurking about. Amazing.

Mrs. G's Open House - It's a house party!!

Mrs. G is asking us to join a bloggish open house this Friday, June 27th, that's today, and share -

"a little slice of your life."

"Reader, where is the heart of your home?

What room in your house makes you breathe

easier-makes you feel genuinely content."

This is the deal, I have a small home, and I love it. You're welcome any time, and most likely will find me here, in the living room stretched out on the sofa, reading. For your visit today, I didn't clean or straighten, sorry, there to many other fun things to do. Trips to the Museum, today we're going to see the Terracotta Soldiers from China, trips to the swimming pool, and many books to read, and stories to post. So you see, we're in disarray, but you're always welcome.

Happy Birthday, Bob

Happy Birthday, Bob

I love you.

Today is the start of Birthday Season, at our house.

It actually happens in birth order, too.

Bob's the oldest, and today is his birthday.

Next, is me, in two weeks.

Then the next day is Carrie,

born 27 minutes after my birthday was over.

Then Sharon, 16 days later.

All concise, within 31 days.

We couldn't have planned it better,

but of course, we didn't plan any of it.

Between Ball Games

This is what we do.

Last night

Last night, we went to see The Storm, our local minor league team.

If possible, we always go to a ball game when Oden is here.

We get to the stadium early,

so Oden can get autographs of future stars.

Last night, the Navy Seals dropped in.

And Thunder surfed in, on top of an old Chevy stationwagon.

We left early, 9PM, the game was still going strong,

our team was ahead, and it was 90°.

Triple G

Yesterday, I drove to Orange County to pick up Oden; he's going to stay with us for a week. We have lots of things planned, and there'll be plenty of free time, too. I also had some books to drop at my Mom's.

After I picked up Oden, I told him we needed to stop at Grandma D's. I asked if he remembered her, Sure, he said, Triple G. Triple G stands for Great Grandma Grace, pretty cute. Mom had an appointment, so we had a brief visit, and I snapped a couple of photos, with my trusty point and shoot.

Mom's pretty short, Oden comes up to her eye level..

Hobbit Name

Have you ever heard of a Hobbit Name? Except for reading J. R. R. Tolkien, neither had I. Petunia clued me into this, so I thought I'd check out what my Hobbit Name might be. Check yours out at The Hobbit Name Generator.

This is the results for our house:

Jan - Dimple Overhill of Rushy
Bob - Mongo Overhill of Rushy

Fun Monday

Karisma is hosting Fun Monday this week and this is what she has to say:

The topic for Fun Monday this week is......

I MADE IT MYSELF!

I think the title pretty much says it all, but for those of you who may still be wondering, I would like to see or hear about things you have made with your own two hands (or feet, I'm not fussy!) We all have different talents and abilities, maybe you like to sew or knit, chisel or sculpt, draw or paint? Whatever your talent is, please share it with us this week.

Da Rules.....

Well there are not any really! But you know, we all know that you made your kids so lets NOT choose them this time. (After all you did not make them with your hands or feet did you?)

And for those of you who are freaking out because you make "everything" with your hands, how about you just choose a few of your favourites!)

Those of you who are freaking out because "You never make things with your hands". Get off your lazy butt and make something! You have four days.....now get to it! (You could always bake a cake!) The possibilities are endless!

If you would like to join up, leave me a comment and I will add you to the list! (If you have more than one blog, please leave a link too! Cheers!) are about things you have made with your own two hands (or feet, I'm not fussy!) We all have different talents and abilities, maybe you like to sew or knit, chisel or sculpt, draw or paint? Whatever your talent is, please share it with us this week.

I've made a lot of different things over the years. I knit, crochet, paint and make jewelry. I've made stained glass and art prints. I love to cook, and have a cooking blog, with some original recipes.

One of my favorite memories is making Blackberry Jam while we were camping near Sedona, in Oak Creek Canyon. We were there for a month, in August of 1977. Our daughters were 7 and 9. We were camping on our trailer, not really roughing it in a tent.

I hadn't planned on making Blackberry Jam. We weren't prepared for it, at all. But when I found blackberries ready to be picked, tons of wonderful, ripe blackberries, I couldn't resist. We were down in the canyon picking blackberries by the bucketfuls, and the rattlesnakes were rattling away; warning us of their presence. Bob ascended to the top of the canyon shouting, Be Careful, Get Away, Come Up Here; you know warning things.

I was determined and used a stick to keep the rattlers at bay; and got all the blackberries I needed, and a few extra. After gathering the fruit, we had to go into town to buy canning jars, sugar and pectin; I had a large dutch oven for cooking. When we got back to camp we proceeded to make a huge batch of jam.

While the cooking was going on, our camping neighbors wandered over to our campsite to see what the wonderful smell was, and what we were doing. When we were finished and the jam was cooling, it was fun to hear the pop, pop, pop of the Ball canning lids sealing. We ate this camp-made jam for a couple of years.

This brought back wonderful memories of camping with my Dad and Mom in the Redwoods. Many summers, in August, as a youngster we would tent camp, and we always made Blackberry Jam. August is Blackberry Jam making time.

CREDITS: Most photos are from the University of Wisconsin (Madison) botany gopher. The large Texas pink blackberry flower, and its associated berries, were photographed by J.R. Manhart, for the TAMU Botany Department Herbarium image gallery, and National Geographic.

What would you call this place?

There's something called the Middle Place. According to Kelly Corrigan it’s where you find yourself when you’re both a parent and a child; what others have called the “sandwich generation”. I like Corrigan’s description better. But what if you're like me and there are 4 generations. I have grandchildren, 3 wonderful kids, children, 2 beautiful and talented daughters (no, they really are), if that's all there was; I would be in the Middle Place. But I also have a Mother, and Step Mother who are still alive and well.

A government study labels these 4 generations this way:


The Traditionalists, the oldest generation


Baby Boomers, born between 1943 and 1960.

Generation Xers, born between 1960 and 1980.

Millenials or Generation Y, born after 1980.




These labels work, for now, but what happens when the Millenials have children and the Traditionalist leave us? I think there has to be better, general labels.




Perhaps the layers of the Earth would work:




Inner Core

Outer Core

Mantle

Crust




Oh, I don't know, does any one want to be called "Crust" generation. I can just hear it, "You're a Crusty".




Then there is the Four Layer Dessert:




Cool Whip

Pudding

Cream Cheese

Crust




So, we're back to the Crust, maybe it's not so bad.




There are also four layers of the digestive tract:




Mucosa

Submucosa

Muscular layer

Serous layer or serosa.




No, I don't think so.




How about the four layers of the Rain Forest:




The Emergent

Upper Canopy

Understory

Forest Floor




I'm liking this a lot better, no crust, no mucus. What do you think?

It's all Dad's fault

This is one of our adult daughters fave saying. As they age, and things go wrong, they blame Bob. When Shingles strikes, Bob gets the blame. When they have back problems, Bob gets the blame. To me, this seems fair; I wouldn't have it any other way. Carrie even designed a line of shirts around this theme.


One of VistaPrints recent promos was for a free item, you just pay shipping. I got this t-shirt for Bob. He loved it, because he knows it's his fault.



He's posing next to one of his watercolors. That's his fault too.

Using Mom for a Jungle Gym

Thursday night, I got a phone call from Oden, Grandma, I need a book. He wanted me to choose a book for his book report. He gave me the parameters, a chapter book with an animal as the main charactor. I chose The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog. Since we hadn't seen Oden and his Mom, we decided to drive to Orange County for a visit, rather than mailing the book. Oden's Dad is featured in TapOut magazine this month, so we brought a copy of that, too. We had a nice visit, and I got these captures of Oden using Sharon for a Jungle Gym.

Happy Anniversary - Carrie and Ole

Here's the happy couple on their wedding day.

And their complete family.

Happy Birthday - Brett

Today is our Grandson Brett's 12th Birthday.
He's a terrific guy.
A great brother.

An athlete from the day he was born.

Here, he's practicing leaping tall buildings.

Did I mention, Brett's smart and funny,
in additon to being handsome.

I snuck this photo in. It hangs near my computer.
It's Bob, but Brett and I think it looks like Brett.

Fun Monday

The Nekked Lizards are the co-host today. Hmmm, will they post 2 Fun Mondays? This is what they want - "We're calling it THE DOUBLE NICKEL 5&5 FUN MONDAY Challenge. The rules are simple: FIVE PICTURES - FIVE WORDS PER PICTURE.Any 5 (FIVE) pictures, any subject, and any 5 (FIVE) words to describe and/or explain each picture. CAN YOU DO IT???"

Double Nickel, indeed, of course we can do it.