A Baby Girl is a Wonderful Thing

 

 

 

"And though she be but little, she is fierce."

Shakespeare

 

 

 

Looking at the before and after pictures, We scored big time when you were born.

 

Happy Birthday Nini! 

 

 

Thank You to All Veterans

Two in the family that have served . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

Thanks Grandpa/Dad

US Navy

 

 

 

Thanks Brian

US Marine Corps.

 

 

Thanks Mike and Mikey for building the Blue Star Memorial in Ahwatukee where you have placed memorial name bricks for family and friends that have served. It will serve as a reminder for generations to come.

 

Thanks to all the Veterans 

My Love-Hate Relationship with Stuff

I opened the closet door . . . . . . . . .

I love stuff. I hate stuff. Why do I keep it? Is it because I will lose the past or is it because I fear the future without it? Will I need it someday? Am I too sentimental?

It's funny the stuff we choose to keep and the stuff that we can let go. One man's trash is another man's treasure. All this stuff would not have the same meaning for you as it does for me.

Why have I kept a bunch of sewing patterns?

Is it because this is a connection to my mother? She made a costume for my first baton twirling competition. It was like the blue one on the pattern but she made it out of shiny silver beaded fabric. I remember my parents watching my routine as I twirled my heart out to the song "Wendy" by the Association. Every time it comes on the radio it takes me back to that day.

My mother was a really good seamstress. Quite the perfectionist when it came to sewing. Her and I made these stuffed animals when she was trying to teach me to sew. I went on to make my own clothes by the time I was in 8th grade. Do they even offer Home Economics class is schools anymore? No Future Homemakers of America now, cook your own dinner or make reservations.

 

I have also kept patterns of outfits I made for my own kids. Here is the pattern for Kendra's little Raggedy Ann costume.

 

 

 

It's time to let it all this stuff go. It's time to take back some space. It's time to take back the closet. When you have lived in the same house as long as I have there is a lot of STUFF.  It's time to say adios, goodbye, happy trails . . . . . so long. You have served your purpose and gave me some great memories.

 

 

By the way, after clearing it all out . . . . . . I found I have this big closet in my house.

 

 





Tell Me About The Good Ole Days

 

For my Dad's birthday, I bought him tickets to see the acclaimed Broadway musical, The Book of Mormon. The last musical I saw with my Dad was Oklahoma. That was during my surprise birthday celebration orchestrated by Mike over 10 years ago.

This past Sunday we walked into Grady Gammage Auditorium on the Arizona State University Campus and my Dad proceeds to tell me that after living in Arizona for as long as he has, this was his first time in Grady Gammage.  Any architect knows about Grady Gammage. It was designed by one of their own, a famous architect named  Frank Lloyd Wright.  

Then my Dad proceeded to tell me about the good ole days.  When it wasn't Grady Gammage, it was a huge area full of trailer homes for the returning GIs that had come back from the war. He continued to tell Mike and I stories of Tempe and all the shenanigans that he pulled as a kid down on Mill Avenue at the center of town. He talked about riding horseback through town and raising dust in the streets. He spoke of old friends and people he knew in the Good Ole Days. He spoke about how different it was. How people actually spoke to each other and weren't always looking down at their cell phones. How some things were private and not all over Facebook.



Not only did I get to spend some time with my Dad and Husband, I got to see a great musical and learn a little more about the good ole days. 

Countdown to Candy

 

 

Remember . . .  you can't fool Mother Nature.

 



 

Dakota is a beautiful Mother Nature. She even had butterflies in her hair.

 



 

 

Mikey says good-bye to his friend Kendall as she heads off to work at a costume shop. It's going to be a busy night for her. She bids us a Hippie Halloween as she leaves.

 

Tanner was an awesome Oompa Loompa from the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Movie.
I know you remember their song:

Oompa Loompa doompadee do
I've got another puzzle for you
Ooompa Loompa doompadah dee
If you are wise you'll listen to me

Oompa Loompa Doompadee Dah
If you're not greedy you will go far
You will live in happiness too
Like the Oompa
Oompa Loompa doompadee do

Austin was a scary Zombie.  Notice his black hair?
 



 

Papa had special treats and toys. No small size candies for these kids.

 

Rob wore one of his special T-shirts.

 

 

Ryker wore a Slender Man costume. Wish he would have put his top hat on with it.

 



 

 

He really is a slender man in that costume.

Lots of candy and lots of fun on Halloween 2015.