Remembering Timothy

Timothy would have been 11 years old today and I'm quite sure spoiled rotten.  He would have spent many a nap on the bosom of Grandmother, toddled behind his Granddaddy as he walked out to get the newspaper, learned cooking and gardening skills from his mother and how to be a great scout and handyman helper with his dad all the while brushing his blond curls away from his sweaty brow.  Lastly, he would have been lovingly passed around like a big bag of peanut M&M's between his sisters and his brothers and his aunts and his uncle and surrounded by a very large circle of cousins.

But we never got the opportunity to know Timothy.  For some reason, he was too pure to live on earth.  The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “The Lord takes many away, even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man, and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them again.”

After all these years, I still reflect upon the day he left us.  I still get very emotional when I remember with honor the task Nancy requested from me.  It is by far the hardest gift of service I've ever done in my life, but what an extreme blessing it was.   (I wrote about that day in my blog entitled "In Remembrance of Timothy" dated 5/31/08).

How grateful I am for the understanding of the gospel and knowing that we can truly be together forever.   What a wonderful experience it will be to someday again be able to meet Timothy.

Today In History...(And there were lots of things on this date)

...May 31, 1859…In London, Big Ben went into operation. The name Big Ben initially referred to the bell inside the tower but later came to the refer to the tower.  It is the largest four-faced chiming clock and the third-tallest free-standing clock tower in the world.

While Corey and I were in London in July of 2000, we went to see and hear Big Ben.

We're almost there!

Corey's ready to set his clock to "Ben Time".

We finally made it to see "Ben".  We were thrilled to be standing there at 12:00 noon which meant we got to hear him bong a total of 12 times.

Big Ben adjoins the Palace of Westminster which is where Parliament meets.

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...May 31, 1907…The first taxis arrived in New York City. They were also the first in the United States.  When I was in New York City in November of 2002, I had my first opportunity to "hail" a cab and they are everywhere and lots of them!.  You cannot be a wimp when doing so.  You almost have to throw yourself out on the street and yell "taxi"!

Hailing a cab is as simple as stepping off the curb and holding out your arm -- it only gets complicated when you need to figure out why many New York taxis seem to drive by without stopping for you. The trick is in the lights atop the cab.

•  When just the center is lit, highlighting the medallion number, the cab is available.
• When the medallion number, as well as the side lamps are lit, the cab is off-duty.
•    When no lights are lit, the cab already has a fare they are bringing to a destination.

Seriously, the best way to grab a cab is to position yourself in the street (the sidewalk, though slightly safer, is considered by taxi drivers to be reserved for those who are not dead serious about getting a cab).

Then, you stand 'up-road' to other cab waiters.  This means you stand in front of other people so you can intercept a cab before it reaches them.  Then you yell "taxi" louder than the others and slightly jump up and down and wave your arm.  It works!

The minimum fare in a cab is $2.50.  That means the moment you step inside a cab, it already costs you $2.50.  I remember my ride from Kennedy Airport to my hotel downtown costs me $45.00 + tip by the time it was over.  That was my most expensive ride. So, I can mark "riding in a New York cab" off my bucket list.

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May 31, 1966…Lulu's first movie, "To Sir With Love," began filming in London.  This was only one of the very few movies that I ever attended with my dad.  In fact, I can name the movies he ever went to with us as a family. (1) Darby O'Gill and The Little People; (2) The Sound of Music; (3) Born Free; and (4) To Sir With Love.

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May 31, 1966…Filming started on "The Monkees (Here Come The Monkees)," the first filmed episode of the television series.  The group reached the height of fame from 1966 to 1968. 

I never missed an episode.  Now if I run across one, I realize how stupid a show it was.  But the music was great and they were one of the most popular groups when I was a teenager.

Slumber party at Cindy Stanley's house in 1967 when I was 15 years old.  These girls were in my M.I.A. class at church.  We were probably sitting around listening to "The Monkees".  We were all in love with Davy Jones.

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May 31, 1982…R.E.M. signed a five-album deal with I.R.S. Records, an independent label based in California.

Their song "Losing My Religion" was released in 1991 and the song became R.E.M.'s highest-charting hit in the United States.

Every time I hear this song, it always brings back memories the most vivid being after Les left.  One afternoon Corey and I were feeling a little bit bummed out and so we decided to get on the interstate, drive a little over the speed limit with all the windows down.  I had a R.E.M. CD in the player and we cranked up this song and blew away our troubles for awhile.

Then one Sunday I was sitting in church, had forgot to turn off my cellphone and Corey called.  (Every time he called, my cell phone played "Losing My Religion").  When he called, my cellphone starting playing..."That's me in the corner, that's me in the spotlight losing my religion".  Oh, my gosh - That was me in the corner and that was me in the spotlight when the song started playing.

Poetry Day

In honor of Poetry Day, I offer what has been a favorite poem of mine for as long as I can remember.  I don't know why I like this one particularly other than it reminds me of my favorite story "The Velveteen Rabbit". 

Little Boy Blue by Eugene Field
The little toy dog is covered with dust,
But sturdy and stanch he stands;
And the little toy soldier is red with rust,
And his musket moulds in his hands.

Time was when the little toy dog was new,
And the soldier was passing fair;
And that was the time when our Little Boy Blue
Kissed them and put them there.

"Now, don't you go till I come," he said,
"And don't you make any noise!"
So, toddling off to his trundle-bed,
He dreamt of the pretty toys;

And, as he was dreaming, an angel song
Awakened our Little Boy Blue---
Oh! the years are many, the years are long,
But the little toy friends are true!

Ay, faithful to Little Boy Blue they stand,
Each in the same old place---
Awaiting the touch of a little hand,
The smile of a little face;

And they wonder, as waiting the long years through
In the dust of that little chair,
What has become of our Little Boy Blue,
Since he kissed them and put them there.

What's Your Calling? Part Deux

I've decided I want to delve a little deeper about what Oprah said on her last show and what was quoted in the "What's Your Calling"? posting.  In short, she says, "We are all called. Everybody has a calling, and your real job in life is to figure out what that is and get about the business of doing it.  That is what a calling is. It lights you up and it lets you know that you are exactly where you're supposed to be, doing exactly what you're supposed to be doing".

My friend Katy, who lives in California, helping me during one of my literature presentations.  She is pretending to be Abiyoyo, a giant monster.

I nod in agreement when I read that, but then on the other hand I shake my head because I feel as though I had "it" and then I lost "it" - my calling.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVED doing trainings like I did for 10 years.  I thrived on the excitement and the thrill of standing in front of people who were there to listen to me.  People who hung on my every word because I KNEW what I was talking about.  I had been there; I had done that so I was packed full of credibility.  I remember one group of people telling me that "it didn't matter if I was teaching them how to burn toast, they'd still be there".  I had my own set of groupies.  I loved standing at the door of the room and watching the people continue to file in and then being amazed that sometimes it was standing room only or hanging out the door. 

I always felt that this was an inherited gift from my parents - especially Dad.  I always felt that he could give an hour speech about the benefits of a telephone book with hardly any notice if it was necessary.  I always felt that I also had an advantage of growing up in the church and having to give talks on a regular basis; that this prepared me for bigger and better things.  And it did.  It gave me a sense of confidence and poise and as long as I knew my subject, I could "fluff and bluff" and "razzle and dazzle" my captive audience.  And I did for 10 years.  I would not even begin to venture a guess of the number of trainings, workshops, presentations I did during that time.  And, I certainly would not begin to estimate the number of people who have sat through my classes.

As Oprah said..."It lit me up and it let me know that I was exactly where I was supposed to be, doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing".  I was on fire and life was so very, very exciting because it always changed because of an email or a phone call.  It always changed because of location, presentation, attendees, time of year - no training was ever, ever the same.

Then life changed and I lost that phase of my life.  When I lost my second job in a year and the move to Wyoming became a reality, that part of my life ceased.  I have wonderful memories about my past experiences and the opportunities it afforded me.  I suppose I'm thinking about all this since I am now once again trying to figure out what path my life is supposed to be taking.

So now I've lost my third job in three years.  Where is my next calling?  What is it that I'm supposed to be doing next?  Hmmmm, I guess only one person knows for sure and He's not telling me yet.

By Love Possessed

Good Housekeeping, August 1952 said..."Your possessions express your personality.  Few things, including clothes, are more personal than your cherished ornaments.  The pioneer women, who crossed a wild continent clutching their treasures to them, knew that a clock, a picture, a pair of candlesticks, mean home, even in the wilderness."

When I read this I thought about when we made the move here to Wyoming.  The move was difficult in one way in that I had lived in the same home for nearly 30 years.  I had moved there as a newlywed, brought a new baby into the home and raised him there, I had assembled furniture and pictures and possessions that fit into each and every room. After the divorce, I did have to make other changes inside and outside the house for maintenance and structural prevention as I was starting a new phase of my life.  For nearly 30 years, I had accumulated many, many items nevertheless and many had some type of story as to its possession.

More changes came when Corey decided it was time to leave his home and then Joe came along, we married and his things started coming in.  At one time, the living room was made virtually impassable because of the moving in and moving out occurring about the same time.

Then came the big move.  Because we were forced to make the move from Georgia to Wyoming so quickly, I didn't have the opportunity to carefully and selectively decide what I really wanted to keep and what I really needed to give away.  Because of the time factor, so many things just left and there was no chance to really savor decisions.  Furniture was given away, antiques were passed on, cherished mementos were entrusted to others, while some things were made presents and gifts.  Some items are being stored without the assurance that I will ever be able to have them back in my possession.  Helpful people came on a daily basis and just went to packing and I found I'd lost control.  This was made abundantly clear when items such as old pillows and trash were opened during the unpacking stage.

I find myself on occasion wondering whatever happened to...the jewelry box I got for my 12th birthday while living in Japan?  Whatever happened to the picture taken of Corey helping out during a presidential stopover? Whatever happened to my collection of rocking horse Christmas ornaments?  Whatever happened to the slides of Les' family members?  Whatever happened to so many other things?  I know they are only things and if my home had been hit by a tornado like the recent ones in the news, I could have lost it all and had no control about what would happen to my possessions. 

I know that my possessions do not define me as a person, that it's my personality, it's my wits, it's how I view life on a daily basis.  It's my spirit of adventure, it's my present home and my family and the relationship I have with my sweet husband.  So, yes, I do understand to an extent how the pioneer women felt when they clutched something that reminded them of home.  And, yes, I will admit that the simplifying of my life with less things has been rather exhilarating at times.

Diary Diddle - May 30

1969 - Friday
Mom and Dad came home this afternoon.  They found a house that's two story, really three including the attic, about 100 years old.  It has a porch, fireplaces, but only 3 bedrooms.
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Note:  These pictures show only a portion of the interior of the house.  This was a spectacular house and one of my favorites although we only lived here a couple of years.

My graduation - June 1970.  I loved those shoes!

Prom with Clayton Freeman.  I made my prom gown.

Mom with our dog, Betsy, standing in front of some killer azalea bushes.  This was while Dad was in Vietnam.  This was a glamour shot she was sending to him.

One of the many fireplaces.  Christmas 1970 while Dad was in Vietnam.

Paint-By-Numbers Day

I'm singing the praises of Paint-By-Numbers Day as this is something my dad did for years while he was on TDY with the Air Force.  It was a good way for him to pass the time and the paintings he did were rather large-sized and required several hours of work.  They were similar types like the one shown above.

I called him today to see if he still had any around his house, but apparently he's given them all away over the past few years as part of his "Simplify" process.

But, I never see a paint-by-number kit when I don't think of Dad.

Month In Review

The merry month of May is almost over - one full day left.  Let's see, this month:

• I've now been unemployed for a little over four months; that's bad since I don't have a full-time job nor benefits, but good because I've been able to spend time with Joe and get some things done that I'd put off.  And, I still have my part-time job; had five job interviews.
• Joe hasn't had any medical emergency now in four months and that's undeniably great.
• I didn't make it home to the family reunion in Georgia and that's not good.  That means that I haven't seen Mom and Dad now in over a year and that's definitely not good.
• It's still snowing here in Wyoming, but that beats 90+ degrees and humidity in Georgia.
• I lost a friend through death and that's never a good thing.
• Joe has participated in a sleep study, been to the radiologist, been to the eye specialist and been to a surgeon.
• We have fed missionaries, new neighbors, new ward members, a newly married ward couple.
• We had a cultural experience watching "Riverdance".
• Joe started working at the Senior Citizen Center as a volunteer.
• I've had a real lunch with real friends at a real restaurant like a real person.
• I've made and delivered numerous dinners and cobblers to people who have blessed me or needed some love or needed to feel welcome.
• But, the best thing in May was having the opportunity to go and visit with the kids once again.  And, having a safe and uneventful trip.

Hope to see you again next year!

On This Day in History...

May 30, 1922…The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated in Washington, DC. Lincoln's only remaining son, 79-year-old Robert Todd Lincoln, was in attendance.

I have had the opportunity of visiting the Lincoln Memorial on several occasions and still an awestruck over the size and magnitude of this statue. 

The best experience I ever had of visiting it was at night time with a group of friends.  We were all in Washington, D.C. for a meeting and since several had never been to D.C. before, we took off exploring in the snow.  This is absolutely magnificent after the sun totally goes down.  Notice the size of the people in front of the statue.

Mom's Diary Diddle

May 30, 1963 - I took my first ride on a Japanese train and subway today.  Went to Tokyo to see "How The West Was Won".  I went with friends and had a very nice time.
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Note:  This was an epic movie back in those days.  It was released world wide and finally made it to Japan about a year after its release.

Remembering Grandaddy McGhee

Today is 20 years ago that Granddaddy McGhee died.  I don't remember much about that day even though I was almost 40 years old and the mother of an almost 9 year old son. 

I did not attend any of the services of my grandparents as I did not and do not handle death and funerals very well.  I don't recall if Corey attended the funeral, but I imagine that he did.  He probably went with his grandparents.

I have sparse and scattered memories of my granddaddy since we didn't ever live close to them until around the time I was about to graduate from high school.  But, I do know these things about him:

- He loved to go fishing.
 - He fed his fish in the pond next to their home the biscuits Grandmother might have left over from breakfast.
- He never wore shoes (I wrote about that in an earlier blog).
- He used to load me and my cousins up in the back of his old pickup truck and would drive like a madman up and down the clay hills.  He'd make us hang on for dear life or otherwise you might bounce out of the truck.  It was a version of a redneck rollercoaster.
- He used to pick up and sell soda bottles.
- He had a mischievous grin and the whitest hair.
- He always wore overalls.
- He would make you squeal in pain if he ever got a hold of your toe.
- He used to pile his plate up with whatever the dessert was that Grandmother made - eat it and then say "Well, that tasted pretty good.  I think I'll have some of that to eat now".
- He liked eating hog brains scrambled with eggs.
- He was always nice to everyone - it didn't matter what color of skin you had.  At least I never saw him be unkind to anyone.
- He never went to church with my God-fearing Grandmother.

No, I didn't know my Granddaddy McGhee very well and it's most likely my fault.  I always wanted to make sure that my own child knew his grandparents better than I knew mine.  I wanted him to have an established relationship with them and then he could have lots of fond memories of things he did with both his grandmother and his grandfather.  I think I succeeded in some degree.  I believe he knows and loves and cares for his Grandmother and Granddaddy Cattell.  However, I failed on the other side of the family, but don't take full blame for that.  I think Corey only saw his Grandma Nora before she died maybe three times in his life and it was when he was small.  And, his other grandfather had been dead long before I even married Les.

But, today I remember my Granddaddy McGhee for those times I do remember and I still smile every time I remember the redneck rollercoaster.

This picture was taken in April of 1974 and I don't recall why my granddaddy would be wearing a wig on his head.  I think that is Mom in the background behind him

Granddaddy and Grandmother McGhee at their home in Brookfield.  She is holding Corey when he was about six months old.

But, today I remember my Granddaddy McGhee and still get a smile on my face recalling the redneck rollercoaster.

Memorial Day - 2011

Joe and I went out to the Oregon Trail Veteran's Cemetery this afternoon to see the flag strewn graves.  I always think that is such an awesome sight to see all the flags flying at the same time on all those graves.

It's also a good time to reflect upon the fact that all those persons in those graves served and/or gave their life to afford us all the freedom that we experience in our daily lives.

What's Your Calling?

First and foremost let me say - Yes, I loved watching Oprah.  I admit it - I am an Oprah fan - a true blue fan.  I'd even set my DVR and record her shows just in case I couldn't make it home to see them and I didn't want to miss them.  I didn't know what the show was about every day, and there were some days I wasn't really interested in the subject matter, but I couldn't take a chance that I might miss a "really great" show.  I've been very lucky here since moving to Wyoming.  I had the chance to watch her show at the standard 4:00 p.m. time or I could watch it on another channel at 9:00 p.m.  Boy, did I consider myself blessed.

Did I agree with everything she said or did? Absolutely not, but I've seen her influence and change the lives of people in a good positive way.  Most shows I watched with a box of Kleenex close by.  Those Kleenex might be used for wiping tears of joy, of laughter, of sadness, or "peeing in your pants" hilarity.  I loved the road trip with Gayle because I could identify with Gayle incessant singing, I loved the single Alaskan men show, oh there were so many, many wonderful times spent in front of the TV watching Oprah.

Her final show (which I recorded since I was out of town) struck a chord with me.  It's something I've thought about for many, many years but a lot more in recent weeks since I've been suffering from "laid off itis". 

This is a portion of what Oprah said at the beginning of her final episode..."What I knew for sure from this experience with you is that we are all called. Everybody has a calling, and your real job in life is to figure out what that is and get about the business of doing it. Every time we have seen a person on this stage who is a success in their life, they spoke of the job, and they spoke of the juice that they receive from doing what they knew they were meant to be doing. We saw it in the volunteers who rocked abandoned babies in Atlanta. We saw it with those lovely pie ladies from Cape Cod making those delicious potpies. ... We saw it every time Tina Turner, Celine, Bocelli or Lady Gaga lit up the stage with their passion. Because that is what a calling is. It lights you up and it lets you know that you are exactly where you're supposed to be, doing exactly what you're supposed to be doing. And that is what I want for all of you and hope that you will take from this show. To live from the heart of yourself. You have to make a living; I understand that. But you also have to know what sparks the light in you so that you, in your own way, can illuminate the world."

What I want you to know as this show ends: Each one of you has your own platform. Do not let the trappings here fool you. Mine is a stage in a studio, yours is wherever you are with your own reach, however small or however large that reach is. Maybe it's 20 people, maybe it's 30 people, 40 people, your family, your friends, your neighbors, your classmates, your classroom, your co-workers. Wherever you are, that is your platform, your stage, your circle of influence. That is your talk show, and that is where your power lies. In every way, in every day, you are showing people exactly who you are. You're letting your life speak for you. And when you do that, you will receive in direct proportion to how you give in whatever platform you have.

Diary Diddle - May 29

Friday - 1970

I got $15.00 from Uncle Lorin and Aunt Mary.  Mom came home from the hospital.  Dad and I carried Mrs. Ford's crank bed over for Mom to sleep on.  She sure has been grouchy.  The Ford sisters game me a purse and a very good book entitled "After The Tassel Is Moved".
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Note:  Uncle Lorin and Aunt Mary were Dad's aunt and uncle and just the neatest people.  They used to travel alot while they were alive and seemed to go everywhere.  The seemed to come by and visit with our family once a year.  The last time I saw them alive was when I was in McAllen, Texas doing a training workshop and I had dinner with them one night as that is where they were retired and living at the time.

The Ford sisters - Marguerite and Dorothy were two old maid sisters who lived next to us in Valdosta.  Miss Marguerite was the Guidance Counselor at the high school. 

Mom's Diary Diddle

May 29, 1961 -

My darling bought me a flower.  I went to the B.X. again today.  Put the kids in the nursery.  Got myself a new pair of p.j.'s.  I think they are real cute.
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Note:  Dad must have found out she'd had a bad day the day before and he'd better do something to make things better, huh?

Heading Home - May 29, 2011

After a wonderful and enjoyable visit with the kids, it was time to head home.

We started seeing snow within a few minutes of entering Provo Canyon.  The higher we climbed, the more we could see the snow coming. 

We finally got up high enough outside of Park City that it began to snow on us and continued for approximately the next 100+ miles.

The visibility got worse and worse. 

Then we got on I-80 in Wyoming and it didn't get any better.

Doesn't Mother Nature know it's May 29th?  Summer is supposed to arrive June 21st.

The highway looks like a giant ski jump to me.


Spring, spring, where forth art thou Spring?

Mom's Diary Diddle

May 28, 1961 - Sunday

What a day.  I am so tired of staying cooped up, I could scream.  Nancy fell off the ladder to the bunks.  Took her to the doctor.
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Note:  If I was 27 years old and had four children ranging in age of 2-9 and I had just moved to a foreign country, couldn't speak the language, had no car to go anywhere and all my neighbors were strangers, I would probably SCREAM TOO!!!

All Gone

Showing us that he cleaned everything up on his plate, including broccoli!

Boo Boo Day

It was not a good time for either Derek or Papa Joe.  Derek kept falling down or stumbling and kept skinning up his knee.  This latest one occurred when he was showing me how fast he could pedal his tricycle.  Papa Joe somehow scrapped the skin off one of his hands and bled quite profusely.  That's after he'd bled from the removal of bandaids from the after effects of his dialysis ports removal.  There almost wasn't enough bandaids or kisses to fix the problem for both of them.

And, I had started out the day by spraying hairspray on my armpits instead of deodorant.  That's what happens when the cans look too similar.

Day Three With Derek

Derek and I started out our morning by dropping Papa Joe off at the "doctor's office" again.  Corey and Nikki were heading out to celebrate her parent's wedding anniversary by the entire family attending the temple in Manti.

Since we had a couple of hours before the stores would open up, Derek and I headed back to the house for a little home fun and excitement.

Then we headed to one of Grandma Carol's favorite places - The Quilted Bear.  I had it timed just right so that we would leave from there and go get Joe.

(Don't you just love Derek's facial expression in the cart.  He's trying to look at me from the corner of his eyes while I took his picture).  He was a perfect little gentleman the entire time we were in the store.  It was really funny near the end of our stay in the store when he would say, "Grandma Carol, is it time to park the cart?"  What a subtle way of saying, "I'm ready to get out of this store!"

Then it was time to go get Papa Joe so that we could go eat lunch...

I just love this picture.  Derek wanted to help Papa Joe walk to the car...

Then we went to eat at one of Papa Joe's favorite restaurants in Utah - The Mongolian Barbecue.  That's where we also met Ally for lunch.  So sorry Ryan wasn't feeling well and couldn't come.

By the time we'd finished eating, Mommy and Daddy had come home, so our fun day had come to an end.

Diary Diddle - May 28

Wednesday - 1969
Today Mom, Dad and Jimmy left.  I got a big list of things to do and boy am I going to be busy.  I started washing the quilts tonight.  We had TV dinners for dinner.  Kenny Smith came over when we got home and I had my pajamas on.  I didn't let him in.
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Note:  I wouldn't have let Kenny Smith in even if I'd had on a ballgown and tiara.  I loathed Kenny Smith.  He's probably a multi-billionaire now and turned out to be great-looking, but that didn't change things then.

Cellophane Tape Day

In 1921, a banjo playing inventor went to work for the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, known as 3M. Four years later, Richard Drew walked out of his lab carrying the first roll of scotch tape. In 1930, he also created cellophane tape. Without this man, we’d still be wrapping up our Christmas packages with string. Way to go, Dick!

You might wonder why I care about Cellophane Tape Day?  It's because of Corey.  Yep, Corey loved cellophane tape when he was younger.  If I wanted any, I had to hide me a roll.  Corey used it to tape paper notes and picture to everything - the walls, the doors, the refrigerator, the cabinets - he used to tape his blocks together, to tape his small cars together, he found more ways to tape things together.  It just fascinated him.
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When I grow up I want to be a fireman. - Corey, age 5



("Dear Mom, Even though I left the driveway hours ago, I have not forgot about you and Dad.  But, you can read this to him or let him read it himself.  Love your little bud, Corey.  Love you Mom and Dad").  Corey, age 6 or 7

Corey loved cellophane tape so much, that for Christmas one year his stocking was filled with several rolls of tape.

Diary Diddles- May 27

Tuesday - 1969
Mom, Dad and Jimmy leave tomorrow for Georgia.  Jimmy's going to stay at grandmother's house till we move.  Dave gave me $10.00 and the car.  Mom gave me a bunch of work instructions and TV dinners.  Most of my drawers are empty as is most of the house. 
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Note:  Wow, $10.00 must really have gone a long way back in 1969!

National Bridge Day

I added this into my blogs to recall some of the famous bridges I've crossed in my life time. 

Some of them include:

• The Golden Gate Bridge which was the longest suspension bridge span in the world when it was completed in 1937, and has become one of the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco.
• Sunshine Skyway Bridge - St. Petersburg and Bradenton
  At 29,040 feet long, the Skyway is the world's longest cable-stayed concrete bridge. Tampa Bay's old cantilever bridge was destroyed in 1980 when a freighter, Summit Venture, plowed into it, causing more than 1,000 feet of the bridge to fall into the bay. The Department of Transportation began immediate reconstruction on a safer bridge, which opened to traffic in 1987 and has won dozens of architectural awards.
• Seven Mile Bridge - Florida Keys At a total length of 35,862 feet or 6.79 miles, the present seven-mile-bridge connects Vaca Key to Bahia Honda in the Lower Keys and has attracted many filmmakers. Its "Hollywood credits" include True Lies, 2 Fast 2 Furious and License to Kill.
• Brooklyn Bridge - New York City
• Tower Bride - London, England

Corey checking out the Thames River with the Tower Bridge in the background.

I thought I'd never get Corey to leave the bench.

Just as we were leaving, the drawbridge was raised.

• The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is a double-decked suspension bridge that connects the boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn in New York City at The Narrows, the reach connecting the relatively protected upper bay with the larger lower bay.
• George Washington Bridge - New Jersey/New York
• Mississippi River Bridge

Hanging With Derek - Day Two

Day two with Derek began with me sound asleep in the bed and being awakened by being hit in the face and on my head with oatmeal squares cereal.

Hmmm, who do I supposed might have been doing the cereal tossing?  Let's see...little blue-eyed guy with his red bowl of cereal squares telling me it was time to wake up?

First things first...getting Derek dressed to attend his first "real" birthday party.  Daddy took him to "Calvin's party" which was next door.

Then it was on to one of the malls so Daddy could get him a new pair of Sunday shoes.  First stop though was dropping a penny in the slot and watching it swirl its way down the hole.

There it goes!

Then it was on to lunch at the Pizza Pie Cafe where we had Spudolicious Pizza, Buffalo Chicken Pizza, Chicken Alfredo Pizza and several kinds of dessert pizza.