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.

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.

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.

That was the week that was

Well this week has come and gone. Robert had a great time at his interview and and thinks he did very well. The company has started a background check on him and are now contacting his old employers and friends.

Today Lianna's Pre K class and school held their Halloween parade. Wow, lots of kids in tht school! The parade went from 9:30 till jut before 11:00. Lianna was the second class in line and I was able to take a few picture at the start and at the end of the parade.

Lianna was waving at every one along the route and was having a great time. After they got to the end (last Picture) she was allowed to go visit her parents and grandpa before sitting with her class till the end. Her mom took lots of picture too but has not shared them with me yet.


Sophie, the little sister, went to the parade too but after a little while she took a nap

I had a great time! Lots of this I missed with my boys because I had to go to work. So now I get to enjoy it. Lianna looked so happy, smileing and waving at everyone.

Next up, Thanksgiving!!!

Interview

Well tomorrow, Oct 28, Robert will be flying to San Antonio, Tx for his interview with USAA. They told him when he gets to the airport in San Antonio there will be a driver waiting with a sign. The sign will state that he is from USAA and is waiting for Robert Rivera. He will be driven to the campus of USAA and he will be interviewed. He will spend the night in a hotel at the expencs of the company and picked up again in the morning and returned to the office. His friend from BYU will be interviewing at the same time and they hope to both be accepted. We at home will by praying for Robert and his friend. It doesn't seem as if Robert will be able to visit at home. He will be busy but we may be able to see him at night at his hotel. But just in case, I put clean sheets on his bed and mopped the room to freshen it up.

Lianna was the pledge leader at her school last Friday. It was kind of a disappointment in that the princepal also said the pledge and he had a much louder voice and over powered her. She knew all the words to the pledge of allegiance and the pledge to the Texas flag. Not bad for a 4 year old. She looked so grown up in the office. Not a bit of fear show. She had worked hard to make sure she knew all the words. This Friday is the kids Halloween parade around the school. She will be wearing her princess costume. Hope it doesn't rain or get to cold.

Little sister Sophie is growning like a weed. She loves to laugh but I fear I am spoiling her. I am always picking her up and talking to her. I bet her first words will be "shut up already". Everyday at 3 PM when I am sitting with her she wants to go outside and sit on the porch and wait for her mom and sister to get home from school. I know, she is to young to do that but at 3 PM she starts pout and cry till I take her out side. Not content to just sit inside with me. I guess I started that too. Tomorrow she will be 5 months old. Time to take her picture for her monthly frame.

So goes the life of this old man

If you dont have dream, how you gonna have a dream come true

Got a call from my son today. I had never heard him sound so thrilled as i did tonight. He told me he had received an email from USAA asking him if he would be willing to have them fly him to San Antonio, Texas for an interview. He had applied for a position with them at a BYU career day fair. He was called back for an interview and told they would let him know.

Today he got an email asking him to respond if he would like to have them fly him to San Antonio and put him up for 2 days. Of course he called them right away and said yes. So he is now waiting for his intineray. To top off the great news, his best buddy in his studies, one with whom he has worked on projects for the last 2 years also got the email. They will be flying down together. Now Robert wants to work for USAA and live here so he is going crazy with hope. His buddy, well, his wife wants to move to San Antonio and has wanted to for some time!

So even as we at home have been throwing up, starting first with Lianna Tuesday, then Steven the dad today. He called from work saying they were sending him home as he was throwing up. Being alone with the baby, Sophie, I placed her in her car seat and went to pick him up and she started doing the same thing. Had to stop and make sure she was ok. Cleaned her up best I could and pick up the dad and got back home. Now I am feeling like I may have to hug the pot tonight. Lianna was well the next day, hoping we all just have it for one day. Anyway, even with that, we are all very happy for Robert. He has worked hard and long for his dream.

His other hopes, # 2 Exon Mobil in Houston, Tx and last, Wal-mart in Bentenville, Arkansa. They all offere hope and "will let you know soon"

one month of school

Strange seeing how one month of school has changed Lianna. She is still the sweet outgoing person she was but has started to learn that not everyone is as honest and loving as she.

I can tell by listening to her stories that some of the kids in her class are bullies and try to take advantage of other, that some kids can be be taken advantage of . She has learned to follow instructions much better. And I can see her teacher saying the things she repeats when she has me play school with her.

I am pleased so far. She is leaning how to interact with other that are not like her. She has learned that she has to stand up for what she knows is right. She knows her teacher is the boss in her class and that she will help when needed but that first you have to try to do things yourself.

Today she went to the dentist and had 2 fillings and one cap put on. She was so grown up about it but when we went to have a drink afterward we laughed when her drink ran down her face. I hate the "sleeping mouth" feeling myself. While she was having the work done I sat outside with the baby, Sophie, and found out that babies are "chick magnets". Never had that many ladies talking to me about the baby. More then one asked, "where did she get those blue eyes?" Answer, grandma!

So time goes on, my van is down, has been for a week. Glad my brother-in-law lent me his van. It would have been the pits taking the bus to the dentist office.

All in all, I am pleased the way my son and his wife have raised their kids. (of course, with my help and advise (LOL).