Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday, Bear! I think of you often ......

April 23rd!

Ya know . .there are just some dates that make monumental changes in your life and today is one of those for me - - - -Prior to today - -albeit several years ago - -I was the lone princess - - my every need catered to by my first time mom and dad . .. not to mention a couple of doting uncles - - my Uncle Chuck and Uncle Wes - - both of whom spoiled me rotten as a child and who I lost far to early from my life. Wherever you are guys - - -- know that Tooter thinks of you often and sends her love!

But 51 years ago today marks the beginning of a change . .51 years ago today I had to learn about sharing . . .and believe it or not . .. I still struggle with sharing today! 51 years ago my brother Jay came into my life. I don’t remember this specific day . . .but with that said . .I also don’t remember a time without him. We held hands and walked thru the first few years of life together - - -in fact as time went on we became not just brother and sister but close friends as well. Only a year apart in school and we had many of the same neighborhood and school friends. We enjoyed lots of high school memories together at school dances, football games and various activities. I developed numerous and odd names of affection for him over the years: Jay Tood, Rookie Sensation, Ralph, and the list goes on..

He shares this special day with many famous folks - -Valerie Bertinelli, Sandra Dee, Lee Majors, Roy Orbison and William Shakespeare (and of course his nephew, Reid. Happy 18th birthday, Reid) - -and the fact that I know all these people .. .(well okay not personally) and know what they are “famous” for certainly makes me feel ancient. He certainly is in good company of talented folks.

One thing I can say about our brother/sister relationship, is that we certainly had a code of honor - -one that prohibited squealing on one another . it was set in stone and one that we never broke. Of course I being the goodie two shoes that I am never did anything that he could have tattled on . .(hey . .I write the blog . . .I get to tell the stories my way) but he on the other hand . . . well his escapades with a modified gas can used for hitch hiking and keeping beer cold, playing in new houses and fire building make for many good stories of life back in the day.

Sadly he too left my life far too early - - -he fell in love as young men are bound to do - - and his sweetheart was a blue bonnet girl - - -yep from the state of Texas where they have now settled and are raising their own family. With that said – I treasure my memories of 18 years as his big sister fondly. And so today, I think back on those memories and of him growing up and hope he remembers them with fondness as well!

Batter Up!

It’s baseball season - - and I can’t think of a better metaphor to relate to this tale - - - -

I wasn’t going to write about this in my blog . .. it being so public and all . . and yet this is a tale of the times and one to think about and to remember - - -it certainly isn’t anything to brag much about . .. but then maybe it is . . .especially when you hear the “rest of the story” . . . .

Like all Americans our neck of the woods has certainly been hit with recession, increased prices and homes being forclosed upon. And like most Americans . . we all take the stand that while it is certainly awful it won’t happen to us.

Several weeks ago Nineandahalf’s hours were cut significantly at work. While that required that we cinch in our belts a bit and give up our passion for eating out, morning lattes and shopping trips, we felt that all was well and that things would turn around. We were prepared to batten down the hatches and weather the storm albeit we were still nervous. And as week by week went by and Nineandahalf could see that things weren’t getting better at the old “gravel pit” we became more and more prepared. With that said . . .I don’t think you can ever be totally prepared. Yes, on Monday when he went to work, he was laid off. Like I said . .. we were prepared . .. but still shocked. Thank goodness for unemployment and the belt tightening we had already done in the weeks before. While we hadn’t shared the hour cut with anyone, we certainly had to say something now. You can’t help but feel a little sheepish when telling this news . . and while it is certainly no reflection upon Nineandahalf it still is awkward.

Well, how best to spread the bad news . . .. well certainly neither one of us relished making calls and having an “I’ve been Laid Off Open House” seemed out of the questions . . . email seemed the best way. Short . .. to the point . . .and you don’t have to look anyone in the eye and can take some time to lick your wounds.

So by now I imagine your are wondering just what this has to do with baseball . . .well I just wanted to give you the pre-game festivities - - now to the game. The emails were out . . . .and the news was told. Feeling as if we were down a few runs and in the bottom of the ninth we sat down to some barbecue burgers. Just as I started to eat the phone rang - - -and batter number one was up to the plate.

Batter #1 (my oldest child, Stefanie) was on the phone. She expressed concern but also immediately offered to help. Our cell phone was a company phone so of course now we had no phone and no way to make calls. She immediately offered us an extra phone she and Superman had (Superman? Oh yeah . .that’s our son-in-law). They had been paying for the line anyway and were stuck in a contract. We offered to pay the small charge and she set up the phone - -even going so far as to put in some phone numbers for us and add a couple of our Friends and Family numbers. (Note to all - -don’t only rely upon your phone to store important numbers. We had them written no where!)

Batter #1 swings and hits a home run with her generous offer of help and support!

So, back to the burgers . . . and a few minutes later . . the phone rings again and this time it is Batter #2 (Furrbait – our affectionate family name for Kyle). He’s calling all the way from college in Pullman where he is struggling with finances himself. He is very concerned and has several ideas to help us out- - he even offers to come home if we needed help or that we could stop helping him with his college needs. Wow, I was stunned. He really is a sensitve and giving young man. I assured him that all would be well and that we would continue to support him as we have been doing. He said for us to be sure to let him know if he could help.

Batter #2 swings, flies around second base and slides into home.

So the evening ends with Nineandahalf and I working out a game plan of our own and planning what to do. With the summer looming ahead and our prior planning to do so many street fairs this year we are confident it will all work out. And the time looking for a new position and being at home will also enable him to do all those honey do’s that there never seems to be the time for. You should see his list!

So Nineandahalf prepares for his first day. Off to get our new phone from Batter #1, to the library to use the computers to get email and print resumes and home to do some yardwork. (Oh yeah , , I forgot to mention that our internet service was provide by his company so that was gone as well - -amazing how isolated you are without cell phone and internet service - -a little scarey - - -- like being back “in the day”) A short time after he finished the yard work, Batter #3 pulls into the driveway and steps up to the plate- - -Yup . . you guessed it PoolBoy. He saunters on up in his easy way and Nineandahalf and Poolboy sit down on the porch to chat. Poolboy just stopped by to see how Nineandahalf was doing – cheer him up a bit and offer some encouragement - - male bonding I guess you would say. I don’t know what Poolboy said or exactly how the conversation went, but ole Nineandahalf was a little misty eyed when he relayed it all to me and said how much he appreciate all the “kids” stepping up to the plate. Thanks to his his years of baseball and passion for the sport, he uses baseball phrases and analogies all the time.

And so it was that Batter #3, stepped up the plate and hit the ole Grand Salami!

So, while we were feeling a little down in the bottom of what seemed like the 9th inning, the kids stepped up to the plate and made all the difference in the game. Is Nineandahalf still laid off? Well yes but our mindset and feelings are much more positive. It’s amazing what a little family support can do. And Phine (an affectionate name I call my mom) was right there every step of the way leading the cheering section. Her positive attitude is always so amazing. She gave me an amazing revelation last night as we were talking - - that with all of our plans and our desire to be Sew Happy and really just do our ‘little’ dress business – yeah the one that some laughed at me about and said I’d never make any money - - -it’s getting more profitable all the time . .and maybe this little layoff will be just the push we need to really let it fly! Anyways . . she said - -“You know . .this might end up being the best time for you kids and a time you will treasure together always.” Yes . .”us kids” . . .well she is over 70 ya know . . .and that brings up another thought . . why is it that what is the worst of times ends up years later as having some of the best memories - - -ah . . but that’s for another blog . . .

Time to grab my hot dog and cracker jacks and enjoy the rest of the baseball season! We do have a great team this year! Watch and See!

Porcupine Anyone?

One of the things that I enjoyed most as a mother is all those cute little things you hear your children say. Some of those seem to stick with families and become words, phrases or jokes that last a lifetime. My family is no different - - - -we still have ginkies (blankets), paint piggy wingers (toes) and have bossgetti (spaghetti) for dinner. What’s been more fun . . is that as time has gone on . . and my children all now adults - - these things continue.

As they get older and older it is no longer the single little words but the phrases or comments - - -For example, I remember Brad asking as we went into church on Good Friday - - -“Why is everyone wearing black? Did someone die?”

Well last night it happened again! Kevin had called and asked if he could stop by on his way home for dinner. Of course there’s always room for a child no matter what their age at the dinner table! When I asked him what he wanted, he said that he didn’t care but would be hungry after working all day. Tina had given me a pressure cooker for my birthday - - -and I so remember with nostalgia the porcupine meatballs made during my own childhood by my mother and grandmother. Seems I just can’t get enuf of them and with everything already on hand I decided they would fit the bill. (bet you already see where this is going, don’t cha?)

About 4pm the phone rang. It was Kevin and he was checking in to see about dinner -- (yes for those of you who may recall, Kevin’s first words as a baby were not the usual Mama or Dada . . .but EAT, EAT, EAT – obviously some things don’t change) He said he would be over about 6:30 and wanted to know what we were having for dinner. I proudly announced that I was making Procupine Meatballs. There was absolute dead silence on the phone. After an awkward pause he quietly asked . .. What kinda meat are we having? And I could hear the fear and apprehension in his voice. I couldn’t help it . . I started laughing and telling him that Nineandahalf had rustled us up some grub and killed himself a porkypine for our supper. I then told him . .. hamburger, silly! We both started laughing!
Kevin (or Pool Boy as I affectionately call him - - -a whole nuther story about one of his lessons in life - -but then he is quite cute too) will never be able to live this down, that is for sure! And of course the one that takes teasing in stride the easiest too! Thanks for the good natured laughs, Pool Boy! You helped make a memory!

A Hallerific Day!

Today is our granddaughter’s 4th birthday. How the time seems to have flown!

So to celebrate Grandpa picked her up after work and brought her to our place for a fun evening with Grammie and Grandpa. Hallie and I started the afternoon making cupcakes for her to take to pre-school for her special birthday treats. As we started, Grandpa got a movie going. So as we started smashing eggs - - -Yes, smashing eggs - - -and making the cupcake batter. In the background we could hear all the music for Beauty and the Beast playing.

We managed to get the first batch into the oven with only a few catastrophies Hallie really enjoyed cracking the eggs and announced – “this is fun. My Mommy never lets me crack the eggs.” Those are great words to any grandma’s ears and one of the joys of being a grandmother -- - letting your grandchild do those things that Mom won’t them do - -those things will stick with them forever!

Next it was Pizza Time- Grandpa and Hallie were going to make homemade pizza from scratch! We had picked up a little apron and measuring cup set complete with pizza recipe book for her to use. They had a great time. Nine Andahalf was a little impaired in the kneading and dough making department - - -the bandage was a little worse for the wear. But the bandage stayed on which was the most important thing - -Hallie was concerned that she would have to see Grandpa’s cut off finger! And I was concerned about him using the pizza cutter - - good thing that Hallie’s kit came with a plastic one! I sure didn’t want to have to start calling him Eight Andahalf!

They made the dough and floured the kitchen! After it was done raising - - they topped it with Hallie’s favorites - - -pepperoni and pineapple! We ate pizza - - drank orange crystal lite and watched Beauty and the Beast! Hallie entertained us with her letter recognition skills - -Did I say how smart she is? Well she is -- - Now no eye rolling – I know all grandmothers say that - -- but for us -- - it’s the truth!

After dinner we frosted those cupcakes - - -between putting on more lip gloss and makeup . . . .and put little teddy graham bears in life saver gummy tubes so they could swim in blue frosting - -Hallie made some do torpedos just like she does - - -and put two of them on her Daddy’s cupcake - -yep .. definitely a daddy’s girl!

We had a great time with her - - - -I’m not sure how much she learned but her learned plenty - -- here’s the Hallieism’s we learned

• The best part about making cupcakes is licking the beater - - and if you are really good you can put your hand all the way in and lick the batter off of your wrist - -you get more batter that way!
  
• It is better to be a girl because they get to wear pink and purple and lavender and white and sparkly lip gloss. Boys only get to wear brown and black and green and jeans.
  
• All creatures come in a set - - a Mommy one and a Daddy one. (As for our herd of cats -Bonnie is a mommy - -- Clyde is a daddy - - Sammi is of course the baby - - and Sofie must be a Mommie with Leo as her Daddy)
  
• Grammie and Grandpa need more grandchildren - -it’s not fair. Hallie’s other grandparents have other grandchildren. (We told Hallie she would have to take that up with her Mommy and Daddy – we’ll get back to you if there are any developments)
  
  We all had a great time! And Hallie and grandpa enjoyed singing in the car all the way home! They even made up some lyrics to country songs! Hallie wanted to know if they could sing some more - - -I see years of Grandpa playing a guitar and Hallie singing away in the future . . . .
  
  It was a great time for all .. . and I couldn’t help but wonder where the years went - - I could almost see Stefanie out of the corner of my eye as we frosted those cupcakes . . .and for a moment the hands of time reversed . . . .guess that makes me just a silly old woman now doesn’t it . . .but it was so nice to go back . . .. for just a moment.!

One Man's Junk ..........

Saturday. The first traditional day off during the week to relax, visit with friends and family and do all of those home chores. Like most folks we start Saturday with our regular routine . . .Is it habit? Or is it tradition? Either way it’s the way we start the weekend - - at our local haunt, The Garage Sale Store. The Garage Sale Store is just that ~ a small store full of odds and ends, tools, old movies, dishes and miscellaneous items one would hope to find at any good garage sale with the prices to match. It is only open on Saturday from 8:00 A.m. – 3:00 P.m. but don’t make the mistake of getting there at 8 - - the old cronies will have snatched up the good things and been long gone by then.

The best thing about this little place is not only the great bargains there - - - the wonderful owners Ray and Mrs Ray - - -but that is it right around the corner from our house! We’ve made this little place a must do to start our weekend each week but this weekend was special - - -the Garage Sale Store was expanding and opening a new room. We were excited! Oh the treasures we have found there each week! This week we were especially excited to see what new treasures would be in store.

Struggling with bronchitis and being nearly on my deathbed, couldn’t stop me! I managed to get up - -throw on some clothes and hobble on over there to see what would could add to our treasures this week. I was a little disappointed not to see any donuts and coffee for the grand re-opening and certainly there were no balloons. But smiles greeted us as we walked in – the usually old duffers as we affectionately call them, were pouring over the tools. David quickly joined them as I went up and down the aisles certain to find something that I couldn’t live without - -and there it was - - a couple of pyrex pie pans for Kyle- Just what he needed and only 50 cents each! Quit a bargain . . .

David and I met up again . .. or as I now call him – Nine Andahalf - - -my friends thought that maybe wasn’t too nice . .after all shouldn’t every wife thing her husband is a 10 . . .Silly girls . . it had nothing to do with that . .. it was that now he only had Nine Andahalf fingers - -- so that name has somehow stuck. So NA and I went into the new room. Filled mostly with furniture and larger items . My eyes quickly surveyed the room’s contents and landed on a pair of forest green comfy rocking chairs and ottoman. Just what I had been looking for to put in the sewing room – perfect color and all - - -the problem . . .well a couple in their mid 30’s were sitting in them - - -I heard them commenting about how comfortable they were and debating about whether they should get them or not . .. .My ears were burning . .I WANTED THOSE CHAIRS! Even moreso now that some thrift store novices wanted them. That’s becoming more and more of a problem in this economy . .the novices. Any seasoned thrifter knows that if you - -- well if you snooze you lose! They got up and walked away and Nine Andahalf sprang into action. He practically hurdled himself over several pieces of furniture to snap up the price tags and off to the pay counter he went.
I glanced over and saw the two novice shoppers aghast with their mouths open. I just smiled and slowly walked to the counter. Another coup! All I can say is that the chairs look great and are perfect. It was worth getting out of my jammies to score such a find! Back to bed I went with sweet dreams of how perfect the Papa Chair and Mama Chair fit in our place. I can’t wait until next Saturday!