DECEMBER

When I was 10-11 years old, I was a VORACIOUS reader. I read To Kill a Mockingbird the year it was first published (which TOTALLY let my kids know how old I was when I taught the book to freshmen!) It was my favorite book UNTIL I read an excerpt in "Readers' Digest" of Patrick Dennis' Auntie Mame. I HAD to get to the library and get the book. Suddenly, I KNEW what kind of aunt I would want to be some day!
As a child, Bryan never really called me "Auntie Shirley"; Cyndi's kids all did. When Bryan (and Sharon) moved to Hobart, he started to introduce me as "my aunt, Shirley," which worked for me!
I never really got to be the "Auntie Mame" for Bryan (just too close to his mom), but there were a couple of times.
The one I remember the most was when he and his mom were "discussing" his wanting to get his ear pierced. Sharon was ADAMANT that she would NOT take him. (She knew that he'd be a little freaked by the process.) The two of them were going back and forth about it and I felt it necessary to spout out, "If you get it pierced, I'll get the diamond for it." THAT sealed the deal for him!!! (My Bryan likes "bling" almost as much as I do! Yes, I "followed through" with the offer!)
Jackie was always the "conservative" sister. HER girls did get "Auntie Shirley's" gene for "flash and trash" - BOTH have liked pink, purple, and glitz! My jewelry box is their favorite "toy" in Hobart!
So, how have times changed? When I was THINKING about getting a tattoo a couple of years ago, Jackie wanted to go with me (still does.) Bryan and Amy have become the "sensible" ones (thank goodness!) and ALL of them have made me so proud as parents!

EAT ICE CREAM

Received this in email -- its message hit me!
MOST OF US CAN SEE OURSELVES IN A COUPLE OF THESE SITUATIONS! YOU ALL MEAN THE WORLD TO ME!
"Real Integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not."
Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming, or are too rigid to depart from their routine. I got to thinking one day about all those people on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back. From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible. How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed? Does the word "refrigeration" mean nothing to you? How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you watched "Jeopardy" on television? I cannot count the times I called my sister and said , "How about going to lunch in a half hour?" She would gas up and stammer, "I can't. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I had a late breakfast, It looks like rain." And my personal favorite: "It's Monday." She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together. Because People cram so much into their lives, we tend to schedule our headaches. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect! We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get Steve toilet-trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet. We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college. Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of "I'm going to," "I plan on," and "Someday, when things are settled down a bit." When anyone calls my "seize the moment" friend, she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of rollerblades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord. My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy. Now go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to do -- not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting? Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask "How are you?" Do you hear the reply? When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Ever told your child, "We'll do it tomorrow," and in your haste, not see her sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say "Hi"? When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift -- thrown away. Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over. I cherish our friendship and appreciate all you do. Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here. we might as well dance!

A YEAR OF THANKFULNESS

Last Christmas, Amy and Bryan asked everyone in the family to share a story once a month. When I was looking over the year's stories, I suddenly realized all the reasons I have to be thankful.

DECEMBER 2008

When I would go to Florida to visit, Bryan never wanted to go to bed on time. Bedtime would start out with Sharon saying, "Go to bed, Bryan." And then he would say, "BUT, I love you, Mommy." That continued 20 to 30 minutes. He would come to the living room door, and in the SWEETEST voice, say, "I love you, Mommy." This would continue for 20 to 30 minutes until Sharon would finally tell him, "I know; now go to bed!"

JANUARY 2009

I call this one "Can You See if We Have a Quiz? I Didn't Take a Bath Last Night."
When Bryan was in junior English, reading Grapes of Wrath (I think it was that novel), in my study hall, he asked me to call Mrs. Lopez to see if they had a quiz that day. When I asked him if he hadn't read the assignment, he told me he took a shower the night before. (No connection for me!) Seems he read while soaking in the tub, and since he took a shower, not a bath, he hadn't read the night before! Judy (Mrs. Lopez) just laughed when I called and told her Bryan wanted to know if they had a quiz since he didn't take a bath! When I explained, she said, "No, he's safe today, but needs a bath tonight!"

FEBRUARY 2009

When Sharon and Bryan moved to Hobart, I didn't realize HOW "territorial" I was! Oh, not at home - shifting things around, giving up closet space, giving up bedroom - those were EASY. Now, let's talk about SCHOOL! Suddenly, I wasn't the only one in Room 124! For 16 years, I was the ONLY person to inhabit my room. Then came BRYAN - oh, and his "entourage." My chair became HIS chair (& I hate a warmed-up chair); my desk became HIS desk (especially at lunch); my toys became HIS toys. WHAT A CHANGE FOR THIS PRISSY GIRL! I could reach out and touch/find anything in my room or on my desk - no more. The worst was my FAVORITE mechanical pencil. I loved that pencil. So did Bryan! I cannot even count how many times I would chase him down on stage to recover MY pencil!
Three years ago, the new band teacher had a study hall in my classroom. Suddenly, it was Déjà Vu! This Brian would walk off with my red gel pen. When I chased HIM down, his answer was, "But I like that pen," to which I reminded him that's why I BUY mine!!!

MARCH 2009

shoes:
For being the "perfectionist" that he is, Bryan was always so good about shoe shopping.
Interesting fact - Sharon has never bought a pair of shoes for her son. Mom and Dad bought all the special ones when he was little; after move to Florida, Auntie Shirley was the shoe person. Twice a year (before school started and at Christmas) we would go "shopping."
Now, if you know my Bryan, you KNOW he hates to shop! But this would be our big day! We would go and ask to see every size 13/14 in stock and Bryan would pick from those choices. The big day was the time we came home with TWO PAIR !!!!!

APRIL 2009

NOT A LAZY GUY
Sometimes, I think that Bryan should do more at home; seems Amy multitasks and Bryan focuses on one thing at a time. Then I remember how overloaded he CAN be - and doesn't complain.
Flashback to 1994 - Bryan's senior year:
He had 7 periods a day. Most seniors had a study hall to cut the load a little; Bryan's was so he could do more. Bryan was listed in my study hall because he wanted to be in the Theatre class but had some academic thing then. It was a way for him to be in two classes the same hour (bless Mrs. Howell for doing this!) BUT, here's what really happened in that 55 minutes:
He would get my keys; check out; go get his mom at home (she broke her ankle/leg and couldn't get to the car); wheel her to the car; get her in; take wheel chair back to apartment; run back to car; [Sharon drove to work in Gary (Joyce Sportswear) and the security guy called the office, the guys came out with a wheelchair she had there, and took her in.]; come back to school; check in; run to study hall; go to next class.
Bryan would learn the theatre stuff during lunch (even the Talent Show dance - thank you, Crissy!) and at end of the day, he would reverse the study hall stuff to get his mom home and THEN he was back for rehearsal! As Sharon got stronger, he would often wait and do the reverse trip AFTER rehearsals.
THEN it was help Mom at home and homework.
AND he didn't miss a day of classes!
He amazed me then and does now!

MAY 2009

Family "jewels" (NO, not "that" kind)

When Bryan was a young lad, I think he thought Auntie Shirley must be RICH - never ran out of toilet paper and had so much jewelry! He asked me why his mom didn't have jewelry. I answered, "Oh, honey, YOU are your mom's gems!" thinking he was more important and valuable than any piece of jewelry. He immediately burst into tears thinking because of him, she couldn't afford jewels! (I have a long history of being misunderstood!)
A few years later, I was riding with Bryan taking leftovers from garage sale to Salvation Army, when he was lamenting his rich college friends who now had great jobs and were driving BMWs and Porches es. I told him, "Your babies are your Porches es." He IMMEDIATELY understood and said that they were more valuable than all the "things" in the world. He finally understood what "gems" are!

JUNE 2009

Sharon posted on FB about me sending down T.P. (actually had to send TWO rolls before we got to store!) It reminded me of how Bryan as a little guy thought his Aunt Shirley must be RICH. Why? She NEVER runs out of toilet paper! The bear doesn't even lay down! (Sharon and I both had a T.P. cover that was a bear head with a skirt that covered a roll.) Toilet paper impressed him!

JULY 2009

FAVORITE JULY MEMORIES:Dan Quayle kissing baby Bryan in Hobart 4th of July Parade the summer before Quayle elected V-P; waving at the parade until arm gives out; getting candy thrown and sharing it with everyone; burning black spots on 2 x 4 watching "snakes" "grow" as they burn and twist; singing "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy" while doing sparklers (also know as "Yankee Do's"); fireworks in the street for all the neighbors; "neon" necklaces and bracelets for all the kids; celebrating FREEDOM!!!

AUGUST 2009

August 26, 1992 ~ the day MY life changed. For 20+ years, I had been responsible for NO ONE but myself. I lived alone. I went to school and came home whenever I wanted.
August 26, 1992 ~ the day MEANING came into my life. The day Sharon and Bryan moved in with me from Florida. I doubt that either of them ever knew how complete my life finally felt. I spent 20+ years feeling like I was "waiting" for something. I found it that day.
August 26, 1992 ~ the day LOVE had a meaning.

SEPTEMBER 2009

Fall has always been my favorite season: cool, crisp, smell of leaves, school starts....
Remember the first fall when Bryan and Sharon moved to Hobart - Bryan and I were walking out the back door at school; suddenly, the huge tree in front of the Administration Building seemed to have changed color overnight. It was magnificent! Bryan and I just stopped in our tracks looking at the enormity of the tree.
I don't think it's ever been as pretty!

OCTOBER 2009

The second Halloween/All Saints/All Souls/Mom's birthday since Mom joined Daddy in heaven - have me thinking about her. Halloween was her mom's birthday - both women were the most independent women I knew.
I'll add that MY grandmother was always adamant about voting -- she voted the first year women could and every, single election after that -- with the exception of one. My mom was born on November 7, 1927, which happened to be an election day. My grandmother actually TRIED to vote that day, too. Sharon (my twin sister) was planning to vote when she ended up in ER one November 6th, was admitted to the hospital for several days, yet she wanted to go vote. Amy (Sharon's daughter-in-law) gave birth the next day, November 7, 2007 -- 80 years to the day my mom was born -- she, too, wanted to go vote on election day, yet she was in labor and her husband, my nephew, was at the hospital with his mom in the ER (Amy had the other three kids with her until the nurses literally threw Bryan out of the ER to go with Amy!) Amy did get to vote on the 6th, even though she started full labor the next morning at 3:00 a.m.; Bryan did not since he was in the ER with his mom!
My grandmother actually was one of the 1st women to vote - and missed only 1 election day - the day Mom was born!
In the homily this Sunday, our priest talked about how he always adds our parents in the prayers - very comforting as this week reminds me how lucky we all were to have such strong women in our lives. Mary Lou's ideals live on!

EXTRA FALL STORY 2009

Even though summer was short,

I still looked forward to the fall season.
I love the changing colors,
the crisp, cool air,
the sounds of band practice,
choir working on holiday songs,
auditions and rehearsals for theatre,
and school in full swing!

This year fall has been even more beautiful
-- no packing --
wondering
when we'd move in the new building;
finishing many "chores"
waiting to be finished;
spending weekends
sleeping in;
watching
the grandGodchildren
play soccer!

Most importantly,
waiting
for the newest Mumaugh
-- Amy and Bryan
are due with #5
in December --
has made fall even more brilliant!

One of my FAVORITE holidays is
Halloween!
Everyone can be silly,
play like a child,
and enjoy giving out treats!
ENJOY!

NOVEMBER 2009

On Sunday, November 1st, church had our saint statues displayed. This included the Infant of Prague statue. Years ago, Vickie (Gramsy) gave me a small Infant of Prague statue as a gift; Bryan was always mesmerized by it because you could change its outfits. Bryan called it my "Barbie Jesus"!

DECEMBER 2009

When I was 10-11 years old, I was a VORACIOUS reader. I read To Kill a Mockingbird the year it was first published (which TOTALLY let my kids know how old I was when I taught the book to freshmen!) It was my favorite book UNTIL I read an excerpt in "Readers' Digest" of Patrick Dennis' Auntie Mame. I HAD to get to the library and get the book. Suddenly, I KNEW what kind of aunt I would want to be some day!
As a child, Bryan never really called me "Auntie Shirley"; Cyndi's kids all did. When Bryan (and Sharon) moved to Hobart, he started to introduce me as "my aunt, Shirley," which worked for me!
I never really got to be the "Auntie Mame" for Bryan (just too close to his mom), but there were a couple of times.
The one I remember the most was when he and his mom were "discussing" his wanting to get his ear pierced. Sharon was ADAMANT that she would NOT take him. (She knew that he'd be a little freaked by the process.) The two of them were going back and forth about it and I felt it necessary to spout out, "If you get it pierced, I'll get the diamond for it." THAT sealed the deal for him!!! (My Bryan like "bling" almost as much as I do! Yes, I "followed through" with the offer!)
Jackie was always the "conservative" sister. HER girls did get "Auntie Shirley's" gene for "flash and trash" - BOTH have liked pink, purple, and glitz! My jewelry box is their favorite "toy" in Hobart!
So, how have times changed? When I was THINKING about getting a tattoo a couple of years ago, Jackie wanted to go with me (still does.) Bryan and Amy have become the "sensible" ones (thank goodness!) and ALL of them have made me so proud as parents!

thoughts

In just two days from now,

tomorrow will be yesterday.


A bartender is just a pharmacist

with a limited inventory.


The statement below is true.

The statement above is false.

BOO-BEES!

Happy Halloween
Boo-bees

so what did you think you were going to see......
it's HALLOWEEN time :-)
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

HAD TO SHARE

“Why dogs don't have to live so long”

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little six-year-old boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.


The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why." Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life - like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember,

if a dog was the teacher

you would learn things like:

-When loved ones come home,

always run to greet them.

-Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

-Allow the experience of fresh air

and the wind in your face

to be pure ecstasy.

-Take naps.

-Stretch before rising.

-Run, romp, and play daily.

-Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

-Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

-On warm days,

stop to lie on your back on the grass.

-On hot days,

drink lots of water

and lie down under a shady tree.

-When you're happy,

dance around

and wag your entire body.

-Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

-Be loyal.

-Never pretend to be something you're not.

-If what you want lies buried,

dig until you find it.

-When someone is having a bad day,

be silent,

sit close by

and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

Handle every stressful situation like a dog.

If you can't eat it or play with it,

tinkle on it and walk away.

FALL

Even though summer was short, I still looked forward to the fall season.

I love the changing colors,

the crisp, cool air,

the sounds of band practice,

choir working on holiday songs,

auditions and rehearsals for theatre,

and school in full swing!

This year fall has been even more beautiful

-- no packing --

wondering

when we'd move in the new building;

finishing many "chores"

waiting to be finished;

spending weekends

sleeping in;

watching

the grandGodchildren

play soccer!

Most importantly,

waiting

for the newest Mumaugh

-- Amy and Bryan

are due with #5

in December --

has made fall even more brilliant!

One of my FAVORITE holidays is

Halloween!

Everyone can be silly,

play like a child,

and enjoy giving out treats!

ENJOY!

BRICKS

"A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation
with the bricks others have thrown at him."

Robert Mills, former student and current director of the Oklahoma City Ballet, posted this on his Facebook profile. When I first read it, I thought, "How profound."

No one has it easy. Every single person has "road blocks" or "brick walls" to conquer. Randy Pausch, in "The Last Lecture," says that the brick walls are there not to keep us out, but to let us know how badly we want something.

Everyone has had moments where it seems the world is throwing the bricks at us! Having taught "forever," I can safely say that No one is exempt from some type of label, sterotype, harrassment, bullying - whatever name you wish to give it, the bricks are thrown. [Most of the time, thrown quite hard!] Just as Randy Pausch reminds us the brick walls remind us how badly we want something, Rob reminds us that catching those "loose bricks" and building a strong foundation can only mean success!

A LITTLE BIT OF HOME

Most of you know that I'm not born and bred Hobartite; however, I've lived here longer than ANYWHERE and have been bleeding purple and gold for a long, long time!

I have delighted in watching growth in what I consider MY hometown. Yesterday, I witnessed the "birth" of the type of place every hometown should have. BRICKWORKS BREWERY,

the dream of a former student, Tom Coster, opened to previews! Cannot describe what joy this city has had with this opening! Just in case you aren't familiar with some "beer" quotes:

"Sometimes when I reflect back on all the beer I drink I feel ashamed. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the brewery and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn't drink this beer, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, 'It is better that I drink this beer and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver.'"

-- Jack Handey

AND ON (9-5-09 ) TOM SPOKE AND HE SAID 'LET THERE BE BEER' AND THE TOWNS FOLK WHERE PLEASED!
--Dan Barrasas

"This is grain, which any fool can eat, but for which the Lord intended a more divine means of consumption. Let us give praise to our Maker and glory to His bounty by learning about... BEER."
– Friar Tuck, "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, 1991

“Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish; Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.”
--Proverbs, Chapter 31 verses 6 & 7

“Do not cease to drink beer, to eat, to intoxicate thyself, to make love, and to celebrate the good days.”
--Ancient Egyptian advice

"Beer he drank - seven goblets. His spirit was loosened. He became hilarious. His heart was glad and his face shown."
--The Epic of Gilgamesh, 3000 B.C.

“It's deeper than that. Think about the farmers that grow the barley & hops. The seed & fertilizer companies that thrive with the farmer. The manufacturing that builds the equipment the farmer uses. The steel companies that supply the steel. The miners that mine the ore for steel & glass. And lets not forget about the packaging manufacturers, the label printers, and the distribution channel of drivers, warehouses, and the final retail outlets. It really is a beer driven economy when you think about it.”
--Brian Kellogg

"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
-- Benjamin Franklin

"He was a wise man who invented beer."
-- Plato

"A fine beer may be judged with only one sip, but it's better to be thoroughly sure."
-- Czech Proverb

"You can do very little with faith, but you can do nothing without it."
-- Samuel Butler

“BRICK WALLS ARE THERE FOR A REASON; THEY LET US KNOW HOW BADLY WE WANT SOMETHING.”
– Randy Pausch in The Last Lecture

2009-2010

I start another new school year on Wednesday.

Now, I have been doing this for A LOT of years, so what makes THIS year special?

Maybe it's because EVERY year brings

new faces,

new personalities,

new challenges?

Maybe it's because I'm more prepared?

Maybe it's because we START in the new building?

OR,

maybe it's because I've FINALLY figured out

that they will learn

"in spite of us" -

YES, "in spite" of

everything we may offer,

every single student

will learn

what THEY need.

I have seen students completely WOW me with their insight.

I have seen students be prolific writers.

I have seen students express compassion and joy.

I have seen students become advocates

of important, compassionate issues.

I have seen students who will be the

leaders,

politicians,

doctors,

dentists,

nurses,

teachers,

PARENTS of the future.

I have seen students become

ADULTS

who I would be proud to call friends.

I am excited as to what is next.

As teachers,

we often don't recognize the

greatness

that is right in front of us.

Luckily, the students do.

We are fine for the future!

AGE?

Do you have any idea how often,

when seeing many people my own age,

that I think,

"I don't look THAT old, do I?"

THIS proves that I am not the only one with a

"fantasy mirror"

at home!

****************************************

STORY ON.... AGE???
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN GUILTY OF LOOKING
AT OTHERS YOUR OWN AGE
AND THINKING,
SURELY I CAN'T LOOK THAT OLD.
WELL....
YOU'LL LOVE THIS ONE.
***************************

MY NAME IS _______
AND I WAS SITTING IN THE WAITING ROOM
FOR MY FIRST APPOINTMENT WITH A NEW DENTIST
I NOTICED HIS D.D.S. DIPLOMA,

WHICH BORE HIS FULL NAME.
SUDDENLY,

I REMEMBERED A

TALL, HANDSOME, DARK-HAIRED BOY

WITH THE SAME NAME

HAD BEEN IN MY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS

SOME 30-ODD YEARS AGO.
COULD HE BE THE SAME GUY

THAT I HAD A SECRET CRUSH ON,

WAY BACK THEN?
UPON SEEING HIM, HOWEVER,

I QUICKLY DISCARDED ANY SUCH THOUGHT.
THIS BALDING, GRAY-HAIRED MAN

WITH THE DEEPLY LINED FACE

WAS WAY TOO OLD

TO HAVE BEEN MY CLASSMATE.
AFTER HE EXAMINED MY TEETH,

I ASKED
HIM IF HE HAD ATTENDED

_________ HIGH SCHOOL .
''YES. YES, I DID. I'M A _______,''

HE GLEAMED WITH PRIDE.
''WHEN DID YOU GRADUATE?'' I ASKED.
HE ANSWERED,

''IN 1975. WHY DO YOU ASK? ''
''YOU WERE IN MY CLASS!"

I EXCLAIMED.
HE LOOKED AT ME CLOSELY.
THEN,

THAT UGLY,
OLD,
BALD,
WRINKLED,
FAT-ASS,
GRAY-HAIRED,
DECREPIT
S**-O*-*-B****

ASKED,
''WHAT DID YOU TEACH ???''

**********************************
The very saddest part of this is,

I was actually teaching in 1975!

I find it interesting that

when I'm on Facebook

and see students from that time,

I don't always recognize them

until I look at their

"blast-from-the-past" pictures

and then I know who they are!

THEY have changed,

but I haven't (in my mind!)

Of course, I'm really the age now

that they thought I was then!

PROJECTS

Sharon and I have finally committed to staying right where we are! We like the idea that we each have our "space" yet are close enough to take care of each other. The things we hated about the house are slowly being resolved.
The chair lifts for the stairs were the first projects - suddenly, we didn't feel "isolated" or "imprisoned" - thanks to Mom (she really wanted us to stay together and the lifts enabled that.)
Next issue was the back porch - the railing was so wobbly that we didn't trust it; neither one of us was comfortable with the stair railing. Edwin redecked the porch, built railings around the porch and down the stairs. He has the first coat of stain on everything so it will match the front steps. The new back door will let me watch Abbey while seated.
Although Sharon never complains about having the smaller of the spaces, we both didn't like that she couldn't see who was here or anything out front. Edwin resolved that issue by installing two cameras with talk-back system! Sharon can see all the way up the steps to my door, her window, all the way down the driveway, and down the street! PLUS -- she can HEAR things outside and talk to anyone out there! The system even has an alarm that's sensitive to sound and motion (the dogs moving or barking next door set it off!)
We have even managed to "spoil" ourselves a little. Sharon always wanted a dishwasher downstairs -- today, Lucas cut out the cabinet and installed it for her.
For me, laundry was a pain! Although Sharon never mined "sharing" the laundry room or me "camping out" downstairs while doing laundry, I HATED having to move clothes down and up the stairs. My unnecessary "redundancy" was the installation of MY OWN washer/dryer upstairs! Who would have thought that an appliance would make me so happy!
Once the 2nd coat of stain goes on the back porch, the solar lights placed, the furniture set back up, we'll be spending some "quality time" outside!
(I think I'll work on getting a new mattress now!)

CELEBRATE!

"Yankee-Doo Day"

has always been my

FAVORITE holiday!

Everyone can be like a kid at a parade

(or just BE at a parade!),

dress silly

(MUST be in red, white, and/or blue!),

play,

and not obligated to buy gifts!

(ok, never "obligated"

- but not part of the tradition.)

Most importantly,

the 4th of July gives us a chance to say

"THANK YOU"

to those who are important

in maintaining the freedom

we have in America.

It also gives us a chance to

thank God

for all the blessings we've received!

GOD BLESS AMERICA

and

YOU!

wonderful week!

Such a good week!

First week of summer school done

(large, but good class),

Allison and Matthew

gave Cyndi her 2nd grandbaby,

(I like to think of

Alexandra Victoria

as my grandGODchild!),

Jack's 8th birthday,

Grace's birthday coming up,

Edwin staining porch,
and don't think I did any major damage

when I fell!

All is good!

".....spread money, like manure, encouraging young things to grow."---Dolly Levi in the musical "Hello, Dolly!"

As the school year comes to a close, thinking about some wonderful things in Hobart. In addition to moving into the new school building, it has been exciting watching some changes in the city I call "home."

The Frey brothers expanded from just Dairy Queen

to bringing new entertainment with the purchase of the Art Theatre.

Mike and Melinda Reinhart's M & M Productions became a venue for live theatre and original films at their Center Stage Studio Theatre.

The loss of Hobart Furniture was the catalyst for Tom Coster to help revitalize downtown with his Brickworks Brewery.

Eric Morgan's Critical Effects continues to grow

as one of the few gaming venues in our area.

All of these young ventures have HOBART HIGH SCHOOL alumni heading them. These young men and women have returned "home" to continue the "hometown pride" instilled in them.

THESE are the bricks that build our community.

In "Hello, Dolly!" Dolly Levi says that she likes to spread money like manure: encouraging young things to grow.

It's our responsibility to fertilize their endeavours!