Spring already?

Well, I'm back here "on line getting ideas for engagement photos I'm taking tomorrow" and got side tracked reading posts and so now that I'm done reading posts, I thought I'd post something myself. Not much to say today; Except that Spring has sprung here in the valley of the sun. Out of nowhere; from sweaters to cooler cloths.. So I'm saying good bye to boots and sweaters for another year.. heavy sigh......

EGBOK

Sophie's eating eggs

During my working days, in CA, I had long commutes; VERY long. During the very early 80's I listened to Ken & Bob from KABC 570 in L.A. They were fun and they gave us the "word" Egbok.. Everything's Going to be O.K.  This was during a difficult economy 20% mortgage rates come to mind.  These were the years I became hooked on Talk Radio; The days before the "Hosts" were either WAY to the right or left. I would spend my lunch hours in my car eating and listening to Michael Jackson ---- the REAL one. He'd have all kinds of guests and was a real gentleman. I felt like I knew these guys and missed them when they were gone.

I still have talk Radio on but my local station, other than "the nearly famous one Barry Young", offer only right wing Loud Mouths and leave me trying to figure out how to use the I-Pod I bought a while ago for an outdoor party, in my car. I miss the days of the very gentle Michael Jackson (not the one you may be thinking of) and Ken Minyard, his son, and Roger Barkley, and Bob, his first partner. 

So In keeping with my theme of yesterday, EGBOK fellow bloggers, EGBOK.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

20 shots for ONE good Photo - Family Ties

These photos were two among about 50 tries on two poses in October 2007. I wanted a family photo along with one of all the children. Sophie wasn't here yet. I was pretty irritated when I first downloaded the photos as there were so many taken and yet we didn't really get ONE good one of the whole family. Katie denied to the hilt that she EVER looked away from the camera.  Why do that when I'm looking at photos of her looking off into space? I cut and pasted for our yearly Christmas Card and vowed NEVER AGAIN.. As it turns out, I smile more when I look at all these missed shots than when I look at the cut and paste on the Christmas Card.

My point today...

I've read other blogs and hear in the news an awful lot about the state of our economy. It pretty much is in the toilet right now I guess and things could get worse. Paul and I have survived the worst in years past and I worry things might get that bad again. BUT maybe I'm older and a bit wiser than I was or maybe I've got my head in the sand or up my.... but I'm feeling more like Singing... "No Worries, be Happy". Let me be clear!; I'm not threatened right now that I'm going to loose my home as others are these days. Due to being on Medical Disability and Paul changing jobs last year, things have been rough; I've lost my credit rating and I won't be getting that big screen T.V. any time soon but for now, I'm in my home. I won't say I haven't stayed up at night once or twice worrying about the fact that we didn't plan this pension thing well and if Paul does go before me; Well lets just say it won't be on Easy Street that I'll be living. But I'll be o.k.

Maybe families will pool resources and live together if the days ahead are darker? We almost lost Katie 31 years ago; I nearly died 4 years ago. My kids are wise NOT to tell me of their close calls so I don't stew in worry. I learned 13 years ago amidst a ruinous financial time for us that we'd be o.k. We were o.k. and we survived to thrive again, which we did.  Probably fair to say we didn't learn a lot from mistakes made back then.

And the Lottery still ranks high in my retirement plans.. if only I'd remember to play!

My kids should probably worry; since my back up financial plan is to live with one of them... :) but I don't worry. If they lost their jobs or means of support, we'd be a little crowded but we'd make it together. 

I think America is strong; and I believed Obama last night when he said we'd come through this time.. We will get through this and if the worst happens, we'll survive to rebuild. Maybe even look at what's really important in our lives. Our families, our health, our spirits; our souls and not at our material goods. 

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

Happy Birthday Dad

I made this for Dad's Memorial 1998

Blake Circa 1920  ( I think)

Blake & Geraldine Welstead May 23, 1945

Dad and Friends WWII My dad is on the left

 

My Mind is slipping. Typically, each year, I mark each day around this time. Today is my Dad's 90th Birthday.  I didn't realize that until the date on my web site jolted me.  

Happy Birthday Dad. 

I've spoken here about my dad and mom.. adnauseum (is that a word?).  Today, I'll only share what I consider to be one of the most remarkable things among so many remarkable things about this man.

He was born February 24, 1919 in AR.. (didn't care a lot for those AR jokes after Bill Clinton's election).  His parents were divorced shortly after he was two. His mother moved back near her family in IL or WI. His father came and took Dad and his brother for a weekend and never took them home.  Uncle Tommy went back to live with our Grand mother but my dad did not.. not for a long time. The story goes that my grandfather was a sales man (fuller brush?) and traveled all over the country. My father wanted more for his children and he and mom owned only two homes in their life together. My father was raised in the traditions of the south during the 20's and 30's and to a certain extent was a product of his up bringing. He wanted more for his children and again,  changed his ways for them. We were raised to understand that all people are equal. He wanted his children to be better than that. We were pretty shocked, in our twenties, to learn he was  a product of his upbringing.  His beliefs about race didn't really change all that much until much later in his life, and this change came from the love of his grand daughter. I remember his quiet anger once when I related a story of bigotry of a boss I had in the early 80's. In a way; we returned the favor he gave us as children; when we reached our twenties and his belief system did change.

I've always marveled at his ability to accept certain things and yet, want his kids to be better and to raise them *us* the way he did. I never really said Thanks Dad for the way you raised us.

I think he knows now how grateful his children are, to have been raised by two of the greatest, from the Greatest Generation.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

Sabby's Weekend included a ride on a Whale

Katie took Sabby to Sea World this weekend with a friend from California. The little miss was in rare form this morning while I urged her on in her morning routine for school. She'd gotten a new outfit this weekend and seemed to think she was little miss Hip Hop. On our walk to school, She reminded me of walking down the long hallway that is my house with my three dogs walking in front of behind and to my side, all the while me trying to to trip over her and all the while, chattering about dancing and school and it looked just like mommy farted while sitting on Shamu (photo shamu only).. 

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend, Sabby certainly did and how I wish I could bottle her exuberance for life and the day ahead of her.

Oh yes, and even after marking the date a while ago... I forgot Friday that it was one year ago on Friday that I started my blog. I'm so glad I did.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.