What a day I had yesterday!!! It was my 29th birthday. ;-)
I started the day a little bit cold, cold front came trough and the wind was blowing.
First thing I did was go check my email and there was a message on my IM from my friend Jag! She was wishing me a happy birthday. I smiled and felt good. Then I went to read one of the groups which I belong. Another surprise! More happy birhtday messages. More warm fuzzy feelings. As more people came online they posted happy birthday messasges. I was starting to feel special.
Well, then my son Steven told me he wanted to take me to dinner. Just him and me. At a full servvice restaurant! So about 5 PM we went and he had a table already set up for us. I had a great meal and a great time. After some chatting we returned home.
The light on my answering machine was flashing and I went to see who had called. Surprise, my special friend Jana had called and had wanted to sing "happy birthday" to me as she had last year when I was in Utah. I still remember that day, I was on the road back to Provo from Salt Lake when my cell rang and she was singing to me. I put the call on speaker and Robert and I listened while she and her kids sang Happy Birthday to me. A nice memory in a sad year. She then told me she had a gift for me but her kids were ill and she could not come over but would bring them over in the next few days. She warned me it is nothing big, just a small gift. Ha Ha! It is a special gift because she cared enought to think of me. This was becoming a special day!
While we were talking on the phone my son Robert came home from his ward meeting and smiled and told me he was home. He gave me a smile and walked on. After I hung up he came back and asked how my meal went. I told him great and he asked if I had dessert. I told him no so he said come to the kitchen. There was a big cake, with great frosting and the flowers with the words "Happy Birthday Dad". No candles, (drough here and he couldn't get a permit for such a big fire.)
Then Steven, his wife Stephie, with Lianna and Sophie and Robert stood around and sang happy birthday. I cut the cake, we ate and then I felt full. Not just from food and cake but with love and caring. It had been a great day but I didn't know it was not over.
About 8:30 PM Robert called me to his room and handed me headphones with mic and said someone wants to talk to you. It was his fiance in Monterry, Mexico. She wished me happy birthday, Feliz compla Anos. And then she sang "Las Manatias" a birthday song from Mexico. She stopped after the second verse so I sang the third. Later Robert told me she had said she was a little embarrased because she didn't know the third verse and I had to sing it to her. But no big deal just that she had never heard it before. Nancy keeps forgeting that I speak Spanish. She has a cute little voice and I am glad I am getting to know her before I meet her.
So my day was a full day. Full of song, food and joy. I wish the same for all of you.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Birthday Party
Lianna's birthday is today. She had a slumber party last night. Never Again!
What happen to the quite little girls I use to know? Lianna is 5 years old now, her guest were 5-7 years old. Those girls can make lots of noise.
Lianna's has the box my new washer came in. We cut a window and a door into the box. They had a blast with that box. They wanted to sleep in it but there was not enough room for that. But they sure wanted to craw in and out of that and then they turned it upside down and wanted the big peope to lift them in to the house.
I was awaken by girls laughing and running outside my bedroom door at about 6 AM. I had hoped to sneak out and buy the cake before they awoke but ha ha, I didn't make it. Then I found out they drank most of the milk last night and the butter was almost gone. Add that to the list. Anyway, I got back home and by then the parents were up. They fed the kids and then we tricked them back into the den where I locked the door while the mom got the cake fixed and the gifts wrapped. As you can see, we had it well planed in advance. NOT
Then the whold business became worth it. The smiles, the singing Happy Birthday, watching her open the gifts. Then back to the den to hook up the new Wii. I pray that Lianna and her family will never lack what they need and are abel to get lots of what they want.
In two weeks it's my birthday but we will not talk about that. No way I could blow out that many candles and I don't know if we could get a permit from the fire department. Then 4 days later, Christmas. this year only gifts for the kids. Time are rough all over.
What happen to the quite little girls I use to know? Lianna is 5 years old now, her guest were 5-7 years old. Those girls can make lots of noise.
Lianna's has the box my new washer came in. We cut a window and a door into the box. They had a blast with that box. They wanted to sleep in it but there was not enough room for that. But they sure wanted to craw in and out of that and then they turned it upside down and wanted the big peope to lift them in to the house.
I was awaken by girls laughing and running outside my bedroom door at about 6 AM. I had hoped to sneak out and buy the cake before they awoke but ha ha, I didn't make it. Then I found out they drank most of the milk last night and the butter was almost gone. Add that to the list. Anyway, I got back home and by then the parents were up. They fed the kids and then we tricked them back into the den where I locked the door while the mom got the cake fixed and the gifts wrapped. As you can see, we had it well planed in advance. NOT
Then the whold business became worth it. The smiles, the singing Happy Birthday, watching her open the gifts. Then back to the den to hook up the new Wii. I pray that Lianna and her family will never lack what they need and are abel to get lots of what they want.
In two weeks it's my birthday but we will not talk about that. No way I could blow out that many candles and I don't know if we could get a permit from the fire department. Then 4 days later, Christmas. this year only gifts for the kids. Time are rough all over.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Songs from my life
I copied this from a friends blog. Hope she doesn't mind.
1. Put Your iTunes/music player/cd player/radio on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. Write that song name down. (don't cheat and shuffle through)They say you can tell a lot about a person by the music they listen to
What best describes your personality?
I Guess It dosn't mater anymore. Linda Ronstead
What do you like in a guy/girl?
Hawaii five 0 by the Ventures Got me, that's what came up. LOL
How do you feel today?
Brown eyed handsome man
What is your life's purpose?
Les ketchup song
what is your motto?
Coat of many colors
What do your friends think of you?
Lonely
what do you think of your parents?
Black is Black
What do you think about frequently?
Summertime
What is 2 + 2?
Tippy toeing
What do you think of your best friend?
Bird Dog
What do you think of the person you like?
In the bush
What is your life Story?
Unchained Melodey
What do you want to be when you grow up?
My special Angel
What do you think when you see the person you like?
Three Jolly Coachman
what do your parents think of you ?
How do you like me now?
what will you dance at your wedding/Anniversary?
Cougar fight song BYU Band
what will they play at your funeral?
Don't be Cruel
what is your hobby/interest?
Wasn't it you
What is your biggest secret?
A dozen roses
What do you think of your friends?
Piece of **** car.
1. Put Your iTunes/music player/cd player/radio on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. Write that song name down. (don't cheat and shuffle through)They say you can tell a lot about a person by the music they listen to
What best describes your personality?
I Guess It dosn't mater anymore. Linda Ronstead
What do you like in a guy/girl?
Hawaii five 0 by the Ventures Got me, that's what came up. LOL
How do you feel today?
Brown eyed handsome man
What is your life's purpose?
Les ketchup song
what is your motto?
Coat of many colors
What do your friends think of you?
Lonely
what do you think of your parents?
Black is Black
What do you think about frequently?
Summertime
What is 2 + 2?
Tippy toeing
What do you think of your best friend?
Bird Dog
What do you think of the person you like?
In the bush
What is your life Story?
Unchained Melodey
What do you want to be when you grow up?
My special Angel
What do you think when you see the person you like?
Three Jolly Coachman
what do your parents think of you ?
How do you like me now?
what will you dance at your wedding/Anniversary?
Cougar fight song BYU Band
what will they play at your funeral?
Don't be Cruel
what is your hobby/interest?
Wasn't it you
What is your biggest secret?
A dozen roses
What do you think of your friends?
Piece of **** car.
Monday, November 24, 2008
back then
I remember thanksgivng 1967.
I had finish my schooling in June of 1967 and was recruited to work for a company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. So in July of that year, my very pregnant wife and our 2 cats left Milwaukee, Wisconsin to start our new life
We found a place to live and then one day in September I received a call at work that Sandra was in labor and in the hospital. The day was here! i would become a dad. Late that night, as I waited in the waiting room the doctor came up to me and told me to sit down. I knew then that something was wrong. I can recall his words to this day. He said " I hate this part of my job. I know you have been trying for sometime to have a child." Then he told me that my son may not live the night. He had an encelfliseal. (sp) Travis had a bag on the back of his head, as big as his head. What was in that seal we did not know. I could be part of his brain or spinal fluid. Either way, it was not good. As he went back to take care of him and Sandra I felt as if a tree had fallen on me. I remember reading somewhere that in a dream things don't hurt. So I bit myself, it hurt. I was not dreaming.
A few hours later, after tell us the risks they went and removed the seal, it had been filled with spinal fluid and he would most likely be what is called a "waterhead" Now back in 1968 shunts were just coming out. They were new and had not yet come to Cedar Rapids but they could send for one from the Mayo clinic. Of course we said yes.
Then we waited for weeks,
Just before Thanksgiving we were glad to be able to take our son home. But life, being life, found me on strike. Just enough money to buy food and a few other things. But we were to happy to worry about that. We took our son home for the first time. One day, still on strike Sandra and I took our son and went to town to window shop. We were not thinking that Thanksgiving was just a couple of days away. We walked to town, window shopped, then went back home to our apartment.
As we walked to our door, we saw a box on the step. We took Travis in and I went for the box. Surprise! There was a big turkey and all the other things that make a thanksgiving dinner. Pie! Rolls! Veggies! Butter! Punch! Every think a king would have had. We had a great dinner and you know what? To this day I have no idea who gave it to us. Did not know who to thank. But we were thankfull.
As a post script, my son Travis lived for one year and 29 days. Enough time to meet my mom and dad and his other grandma. He lives in our heart and he shared that special thaksgiving with us.
I had finish my schooling in June of 1967 and was recruited to work for a company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. So in July of that year, my very pregnant wife and our 2 cats left Milwaukee, Wisconsin to start our new life
We found a place to live and then one day in September I received a call at work that Sandra was in labor and in the hospital. The day was here! i would become a dad. Late that night, as I waited in the waiting room the doctor came up to me and told me to sit down. I knew then that something was wrong. I can recall his words to this day. He said " I hate this part of my job. I know you have been trying for sometime to have a child." Then he told me that my son may not live the night. He had an encelfliseal. (sp) Travis had a bag on the back of his head, as big as his head. What was in that seal we did not know. I could be part of his brain or spinal fluid. Either way, it was not good. As he went back to take care of him and Sandra I felt as if a tree had fallen on me. I remember reading somewhere that in a dream things don't hurt. So I bit myself, it hurt. I was not dreaming.
A few hours later, after tell us the risks they went and removed the seal, it had been filled with spinal fluid and he would most likely be what is called a "waterhead" Now back in 1968 shunts were just coming out. They were new and had not yet come to Cedar Rapids but they could send for one from the Mayo clinic. Of course we said yes.
Then we waited for weeks,
Just before Thanksgiving we were glad to be able to take our son home. But life, being life, found me on strike. Just enough money to buy food and a few other things. But we were to happy to worry about that. We took our son home for the first time. One day, still on strike Sandra and I took our son and went to town to window shop. We were not thinking that Thanksgiving was just a couple of days away. We walked to town, window shopped, then went back home to our apartment.
As we walked to our door, we saw a box on the step. We took Travis in and I went for the box. Surprise! There was a big turkey and all the other things that make a thanksgiving dinner. Pie! Rolls! Veggies! Butter! Punch! Every think a king would have had. We had a great dinner and you know what? To this day I have no idea who gave it to us. Did not know who to thank. But we were thankfull.
As a post script, my son Travis lived for one year and 29 days. Enough time to meet my mom and dad and his other grandma. He lives in our heart and he shared that special thaksgiving with us.
Monday, November 10, 2008
bakeing time
Today I made cookies. Not really a big deal but these were special cookies. Made with love and care. You see, I didn't make them by myself. Lianna, my granddaughter helped me.
Today was a holiday at her school and she had been around all day. She had been gone over the weekend. To her other grandma's house so I really missed her. We played games, she made me angry now and then but I just remind myself, she is what we made her. So in the evening, I said. 'let's make cookies." Boy was she excited! She ran around getting the mixing bowl, the cookie sheets, etc. Then of course she had to help. I had to keep reminding myself, i am not making cookies. I am making a young lady. I waited as she rolled the dough into little balls, we were making peanut better cookies. Then I let her flatten then down with a fork and had to tell her how. Took a little longer then I expected but the joy will live with me forever.
Soon the cookies were done and she was so proud! She took some to her mom, her dad and me. Then she told me, "don't move the napkin on the table, it's hiding a cookie for Sophie. ( her baby sister)
All in all, a fun way to spend some time with a 4 year old, soon to be 5. I hope that someday she will remember when she had to help "grandpa" make cookies.
She laughed, she kept asking if they were done. Wanted to take them out of the oven but I didn't let her. She understood that she could get burned if she did it wrong but as soon as I told her it was okay, those cookies came of the sheets in a hurry.
You know, I think making them was more fun then eating them.
Today was a holiday at her school and she had been around all day. She had been gone over the weekend. To her other grandma's house so I really missed her. We played games, she made me angry now and then but I just remind myself, she is what we made her. So in the evening, I said. 'let's make cookies." Boy was she excited! She ran around getting the mixing bowl, the cookie sheets, etc. Then of course she had to help. I had to keep reminding myself, i am not making cookies. I am making a young lady. I waited as she rolled the dough into little balls, we were making peanut better cookies. Then I let her flatten then down with a fork and had to tell her how. Took a little longer then I expected but the joy will live with me forever.
Soon the cookies were done and she was so proud! She took some to her mom, her dad and me. Then she told me, "don't move the napkin on the table, it's hiding a cookie for Sophie. ( her baby sister)
All in all, a fun way to spend some time with a 4 year old, soon to be 5. I hope that someday she will remember when she had to help "grandpa" make cookies.
She laughed, she kept asking if they were done. Wanted to take them out of the oven but I didn't let her. She understood that she could get burned if she did it wrong but as soon as I told her it was okay, those cookies came of the sheets in a hurry.
You know, I think making them was more fun then eating them.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
vets day
We sure had a loud weekend Nov. first and second. I live about a mile and a half from the an airbase. They have a great runway and this past weekend they hosted an air show.
Starting last Thursday the Blue Angels flew in and started practcing. I guess they were using the north/south runway. We had lots of noise but not to bad. Now on the days of the air show they used the East/West runway and they maded their turns right over my house. Some time east and some times just west of my house. All the families in the area were out in the street watching them fly over. BUT man they are loud when they go over that low. Wht a sight to see them turn together and then shoot up. But when they shot up they went to a higher power setting and it made the baby jump in my arms!
Took me back to my days as a young navy man. I read something in the base paper about a lady calling the base and asking to speak to the base commander. When he came on line she started chewing him out saying "Your planes are flying over my house and making lots of noise". He asked " Are you sure they are our planes?".. She said "Of course!" Then he answered "Thank God." I say, Thank God too. May they always be "our planes"
Have a great veterans day. Monday Nov 11. Long live the U.S. A.
Starting last Thursday the Blue Angels flew in and started practcing. I guess they were using the north/south runway. We had lots of noise but not to bad. Now on the days of the air show they used the East/West runway and they maded their turns right over my house. Some time east and some times just west of my house. All the families in the area were out in the street watching them fly over. BUT man they are loud when they go over that low. Wht a sight to see them turn together and then shoot up. But when they shot up they went to a higher power setting and it made the baby jump in my arms!
Took me back to my days as a young navy man. I read something in the base paper about a lady calling the base and asking to speak to the base commander. When he came on line she started chewing him out saying "Your planes are flying over my house and making lots of noise". He asked " Are you sure they are our planes?".. She said "Of course!" Then he answered "Thank God." I say, Thank God too. May they always be "our planes"
Have a great veterans day. Monday Nov 11. Long live the U.S. A.
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