Everyone needs a sandbox

Summer, 1953 (6 years old)-- I spent hours playing in the bare patch of backyard that was officially my "sandbox". Oh, the things that came out of that sandbox, both good and bad. I would add leaves, twigs, water and stones to handfuls of dirt, and create culinary delights. Once, I threatened a kid down the street with a poisoned mud pie that I'd leave on her front doorstep. On one of my digs, I discovered a finely chiseled Indian arrowhead. I imagined a bronzed Narragansett Indian brave silently stalking a deer in my backyard. Another time, my brother Charlie and I decided we would dig a hole that would be so deep it would reach the children in China. We worked many, many hours, til we could fit inside that hole. While I was crouching in the bottom, digging out more dirt, my brother swung a hoe from above, and it caught me right on top of my skull, resulting in a trip to the emergency room, a couple of stitches, and a spot of my scalp where the hair doesn't grow. We never did reach China, but I never did give up my fascination with playing in the dirt.

Just this morning, after the retired hubby and I finished our exercise in the park, I told him to go inside, ice the knees,and wait for me to fix breakfast because I'd be outside just a few minutes watering my tomato plants. The lure of the sandbox proved to be too much. An hour later, there I was, tomatoes plants unwatered, (hubby asking, "What are you doing??!!") and me playing in the dirt. Since I'm too big to make mud pies and such, I call it "weeding". The soil was so nice, softened up by recent rains. I attacked a weedy patch of lawn, freeing the runners of San Augustine grass from the choking weeds. There's something calming, soothing, and liberating about digging in the dirt ...... can hardly wait to put in my fall garden.

Old folks having fun!

I like to play "house fairy". The grandkids get so exited when the "house fairy" knocks on their door, checks out their rooms, and gives them a treat for having a neat room. It's the same "house fairy" that came to their mommy when she was little. (Watch out, Dario, Aiden and Ava --"house fairy" will be coming your way soon.)

Grandpa's idea of fun is a day out in the garage in the sweltering heat, cooled by an electric fan. He loves to restore old clunkers. This one is almost done, but needs a lot of cosmetic work inside and out.

But the most fun we have is time with the grandkids, who are growing up way too fast. We recently spent the day at Emily's playing with her precious little ones. Last week we took Kyla and Elayna to a children's theatre production. In another two weeks we get to spend lots of time with little Colby in Minnesota.

Retirement, Chapter 1

On July 13, Carl officially retired, after working 40 years at the same place. After a nice send-off from his work, he was free as a bird. During the first week, some of the ground rules and routines were established. On the first full day of retirement, Carl followed me out to the yard, asking ,"what are you doing?" and "why aren't you ready yet?" We were about to go on our first joint errand as a retired couple. "Honey", I replied, gently, but as firmly as I could, "Please don't ever, ever say those words again. You are now in my territory. I'm the chief CEO of this corporation. I've been running it for more than 30 years. You are now in my territory, and you are just a peon." I thought he took it pretty well. He shrugged his shoulders, walked towards the back door, and said, "I guess I'll just have to do my own thing til you're ready". When I came back inside, here's what he was busy doing.
Our first errand consisted of getting Carl some real work-out clothes and new running shoes (see photo below). On Mon., Wed., and Fri., we hit the track at the city park first thing in the morning, putting in 3 miles, and do lap swimming at the city pool on the in -between days. I wish I could bottle how good I feel after doing this. (Unfortunately, it doesn't last all day, and I'm drooping like a wilted flower come mid-afternoon.) After a leisurely breakfast, we then do our own projects (Carl's is in the garage), meet again for lunch, and so forth. Our first two weeks of retirement have been relaxing and fun, and Carl has been great about obeying the rules, so far. To be continued...

Saying "Good-bye"

We were happy and sad to make one last trip to San Antonio the day before Mark, Courtney and Colby headed out to their new life in Minnesota. When we arrived, we worked all day packing the last items and loading the moving truck. "Little" Carl and his friend Adam were a tremendous help. We had brought them up for a church youth conference. They spent the night at Mark's place. In the morning, before Mark drove them to Trinity U. for EFY, the boys also helped with babysitting and packing the last few boxes.......7 month old Colby seemed a bit bewildered as his little world was being packed away. Here we are sitting on the sofa for the last time. Colby was a trooper; he was so patient through all the upheaval. He's now walking, while supporting himself on the edge of the sofa. When I said my last "bye-bye" to Colby, he amazed me, by waving and saying "bye-bye". When I said several "bye-byes", he kept repeating them back to me and waving.

A big piece of my heart is now in Minnesota.

another July birthday!

Happy 21st Birthday to Philip! The 7th of 8 kids, Philip was born on 7-8-88 -- very easy to remember. Philip was always such a happy baby, even when he went to Disney World in Florida with us when he was 1 year old (top right picture). He had that happy smile on his face the whole day, and didn't fuss or cry once during those 3 long days. Philip is definitely a "people" person, and makes us laugh with his funny imitations. He loves sports--running, playing basketball. Have a wonderful birthday Philip!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, to our much loved daughter-in-law, Courtney. We are so blessed to have her in our family. She has been a wonderful support to Mark, as he obtained his D.D.S. degree. Courtney is an adventurous girl who enjoys the outdoors, camping and kayaking. Having a great love for animals (raised seeing eye dogs as a kid), she got her degree in animal science from BYU. She is also gifted with creative, artistic talents. Her biggest accomplishment, for which we are so grateful, is the birth of a beautiful son, Colby. Hope your day is the best Courtney!

(P.S. scroll down further to see 2 new blog updates.)

a 4th of July celebration

We celebrated with the usual--family, food, fireworks. Like true Texas rednecks, we celebrated by watching the fireworks from the backs of our pick-up trucks. (With 2 little babies, we didn't want the hassle of taking a shuttle bus to the park, so we joined many others in the HEB parking lot.)

My thoughts were on my mother, who was born in Vienna, Austria on July 4, 1918. From the time she was a little girl, she knew that someday she would live in America. In an official affidavit sent to the American Consulate, my father stated: "After serving 15 months in the service of the United States Army in Europe, I was honorably discharged as Staff-sergeant in the 869th Field Artillery Battalion. While in Europe, I became acquainted with Leopoldine Ibba (in Salzburg, Austria)...I became engaged to marry her; that she is now employed as a Secretary by the Headquarters Company of the 5th Infantry Real Estate Office; that she is 28 years old and both her parents are deceased....It is my intention to marry the said Leopoldine Ibba immediately after her arrival in the United Sates and that I will be responsible for her care and support thereafter in the United States; that my mother approves of said marriage (his father was deceased)."

After enduring many hardships during the war, a lifelong dream was fulfilled. She sailed on the ocean liner "America",entered New York Harbor, and was welcomed by the Statue of Liberty. The following week, my parents were married in Providence, R.I. and I made by entrance into the world exactly 9 months later.