Happy Halloween

It wouldn't be Halloween without carving the pumpkins. Mike and William have both learned from the Master Carver and wanted to do their own this year. William went for Happy, Mike went for Scary. They had a lot of fun designing and cutting their own pumpkins (with a little help from the Master). The pumpkins were lit and placed on the fence outside the door for all the trick or treaters to enjoy. Max spent a good portion of the night out in the yard barking at them, not sure what he thought they were, but I guess they were good barking material. HAPPY HALLOWEEN.

Rant No. 3a - People at the Movies

Crowded movie theaters are pretty much a fact of life here in Arizona. It is so hot that there is not much else to do, it is entertaining and air conditioned. The problem is that a lot of people have lost track of common manners. Who sits through a movie talking the entire time as if they were at home alone talking to themselves? Who brings young children to dark, scary movies? Who brings crying infants to a movie theater? The people around here do. I have had the pleasure (not so much) of sitting next to a woman who talked through all of Mr. Bean's Holiday, telling Mr. Bean what to do and on and on. Then there were the people that brought young toddlers to a Harry Potter movie. Those movies are dark and scary to me an out of my mind 50 something, yet they couldn't understand why the kids were crying to leave. The crying babies are the worst, I have only two words for people that think it is necessary to bring an infant to a movie: STAY HOME. Actually one movie's annoying crying baby wasn't even human, it was one of those High School projects that are suppose to teach teenagers what it is like to be a parent taking care of something for 24 hours. Didn't seem to put a crimp in their style as they just lugged the doll into the theater and then didn't even know how to turn it off. I won't even get into the flicker of cell phones from seats down below. Really how important are you that you can't sit through a 90 minute movie without texting someone. A legend in your own mind I am sure.

State Fair

We spent a hot and sunny Sunday afternoon at the State Fair. There weren't a whole lot of animals to see. We did catch the end of the sheep competition and there were about ten different breeds (or whatever they call them) of sheep. Most had been sheared and women were spinning their wool into yarn. There were some pigeons and roosters and turkeys, and that is about all on the animal front. Now the exhibits were much more interesting.

Kids and adults have their collections on display, everything from My Little Pony to thimbles to postcards to juicers to whatever else you can think of. Then there was the knitting/crocheting/sewing competitions. I don't think I am exaggerating when I say that I don't think those items were made this year. Most appear to be circa 1980s. The quilts were all gorgeous and much more decorative than the aforementioned knitting/crocheting/sewing items.

Food is always a big part of the Fair. It was kind of hot to eat, but that didn't stop me from trying Indian Frybread with chili meat and cheese on it. William had a turkey leg almost as big as his head. Mike had Fried Dr. Pepper, which appeared to be funnel cake pieces in a cup with Dr. Pepper syrup poured over them and then powdered sugar added. Pat got his favorite kettle corn to take home.

Then there are the rides and games. One spin on the tilt-a-whirl and I was done for the day. William did a superman flight, and fun houses, and slide and tilt-a-whirl and bumper cars. Mike wasn't much in to the rides this year, I think just the tilt-a-whirl. Pat did the bumper cars with William. The games are always my least favorite thing of a fair. I will save my ramblings for my rant on tacky fair games. The kids each won something so they were happy.

Thanks

Much thanks to my son, Mike, for his help in putting a music video and weather girl on my blog. I think that eventually I would have figured it out, maybe in a couple of weeks, but Mike sat down and had both of them added in minutes. I guess all that time he spends on the computer may come to some good after all.

Rant No. 3 - Garbage at the Movies

No, I am not talking about what's on the screen, I am talking about the garbage left on the floor in the theater. I don't quite understand what is so hard about taking your refuse out with you and depositing it where it belongs. When you sit at home watching TV or a movie are you tossing your empty popcorn containers and candy wrappers on the floor? I think not. Why is it okay to do in a movie theater? Where did this habit start? Pick up after yourself and teach your kids to do the same, that way this disgusting trend will end.

Happy 50th Birthday

Pat turned 50 on October 17th, here he is enjoying his birthday celebration at his favorite Mexican restaurant, Los Locos Gringos. We ate outside, the weather was great, the food was good, the margaritas were excellent as always and then for dessert a surprise sombrero and fried ice cream. All the wait staff came out to sing and the other patrons on the patio wished him well. They didn't know that he was 50 or that AARP has been knocking on the door for a couple of months, but that's okay I think the sombrero and singing was enough for one night. It was an enjoyable evening and I hope a good day.

The birthday boy and his boys.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Rant No. 2 - The Snowbirds

It is that time of year again, the weather is getting cool up north, it is still beautiful around here and the snowbirds a/k/a "the seniors" are headed south for the winter. Around the beginning of October you start to notice the erratic drivers on the road. I love the arrival of the seniors as much as the local economy does. They are delightful to watch at the mall, at stores, at the movies but not so much on the road. You know they are here when you are forever stomping on your brakes to avoid hitting them. They seem to think they are they only ones on the road, They will be be going 45 and realize that was the road they wanted, stop dead and turn right or left from the wrong lane it doesn't matter. I say you take your life in your own hands for the next six months while they are here. It is far better to just watch out for them and practice the virtue of patience than it is to get frustrated because it seems to be a fact of life. They are here every winter, they boost the local economy, they can't drive. What can you do, if you can't beat them, join them.

Coronado

Sunday morning we packed up, checked out and headed for Coronado. The sun was shining, the wind was blowing gently and the water was gorgeous. We spent some time walking along the shoreline up to the Hotel del Coronado. The water was really cold, but there were a few guys surfing and they were fun to watch. Mike and William enjoyed playing around in the sand and getting wet. We walked around inside the Hotel and it is an amazing place, everything is wood and the lobby is spectacular from the beams on the ceiling to the old-fashioned lift with an elevator operator. There are a ton of shops on one level of the hotel and they have a great sweet shop. We spent some time in there getting goodies for the trip home. I found some white chocolate with lime and it was so good it didn't make it to the trip home.

After wandering around the hotel, we went into the town area. There are some very quaint hotels and shops and the weather was just perfect for looking around. After lunch in a local pizzeria, which had excellent calzones, we were ready to head home again.

It was a fun but short weekend in San Diego and I think we all agree we would like to go back and spend more time exploring all that there is to do there.

Birthday Dinner

The trip was to celebrate William's birthday and for dinner he wanted crab. We went to The Fishmarket which was in the North Harbor area. William had a pound of King Red Crab Legs and he finished all of it. He was so stuffed that he didn't even want to order dessert.

The North Harbor area was quite interesting. There is a maritime museum where you can tour some very old ships and they also had the USS Midway docked there. It is an aircraft carrier and to say it is huge is an understatement. I have never seen a ship that big, the planes actually looked small on it. They also had a much larger than life statue of the famous "Soldier kissing nurse" photo. Unfortunately it was dark when we were there, so there are no photos to show how large it is. Suffice it to say that Pat barely came up to the knee on the nurse.

It was a good birthday dinner, a good time was eventually had by all and the birthday boy was happy.

A day at Seaworld

It was a beautiful day to spend at Seaworld. The weather was perfect, in the 70s and sunny. First stop the dolphins. Mike and William fed the dolphins and managed to get almost as much fish in the dolphins' mouths as they did on the ground. I don't have a lot of room to talk here as there is no way I would have picked up one of those slimy fish. The dolphins are very friendly and love to be pet, of course, they were expecting a fishy reward.

Next stop the starfish pool, where you can pick a starfish up out of the water to examine it more closely. Just remember when the starfish is out of the water it is holding it's breath so you must hold yours too so you will know when it has had enough and needs to go back in the water.

The shark attack attraction was a favorite of mine. It was very informative and we saw a lot of different sharks in a lot of different sizes. At the end of the attraction you stand on a moving sidewalk that goes under the shark tank and there are sharks swimming all around and above you. You can get a really good look at their teeth from that angle.

A trip to Seaworld wouldn't be complete without seeing the Shamu show. The whales are amazing and put on quite an impressive performance. Naturally I was hoping one of them would send the trainer that was riding on their back flying in to the pool (rant on this subject coming soon), but they are too well trained for that.

Mike and I went on a Gondola ride that stretches across the harbor high above the Seaworld property. The view was fantastic and you could see for miles.

Finally there are rides to go on. There is a big inner tube that holds up to nine people and goes down the "rapids". It is a get very soaked kind of ride and get very soaked we did. The three guys went on for a second time right before we left and they were totally soaked through and through. Their clothes were still wet two days later when they were finally laundered. It's the kind of ride that you want to go on, and probably wait for ever to do so, on a brutally hot day. Also Mike and Pat went on the Atlantis, which is a water roller coaster, not as big a soaker but just as fun. William and I took a pass on that one and ate Churros while we waited for them.

Rant No. 1 - Distracting Roadside Memorials

I do not understand the practice of marking the site where a person died in a car crash with a cross and other distracting elements. Most often the place where the accident happened is a treacherous piece of road that requires a driver's full attention. Yet objects are placed all about the roadside and are quite frankly a distraction to other drivers. I can understand the need to memorialize your loved one, however, I think there are better ways. What if in memory of the deceased you adopt a mile of the road. The adopt-a-road sign can say - Adopted by The _________ Family in Memory of ____________. Then you are not only remembering your loved one, at the same time you are helping to keep the roads clean and a little less distracting for others.

WILLIAM is 10 today!!!

Ten years ago today I first looked into these eyes. Time has gone by so quickly, many things have changed but in these eyes I still see my newborn baby so full of life and wonder for what is to come. William is a sensitive, fun-loving child whose glass is always half full. Everyday is a GREAT day to him, he finds the positive in everything. His sense of humor is unsurpassed and he is always quick with a kind word or kiss to make you feel better.

William makes friends wherever he goes. I think kids are attracted to him because he is so friendly and a willing participant in any game they want to play. He loves playing sports and is always in one league or another. His favorite is basketball, but he isn't ready to give up flag football or baseball just yet. Dodgeball is another favorite that William loved to play when he was in summer camp. He also plays on the computer and has many on-line friends that he gets together with in his favorite game spot. He is always active, it is hard to keep him still. The only time he isn't running or playing is when he is sleeping and even then I hear him moving around all night long.

William is also an excellent student, getting good grades and doing well in school as evidenced by this note I received from his teacher:

William has been doing great work in class, by the way, and participates consistently during all discussions with very thoughtful answers. He is wonderful to have in the classroom and really contributes to a positive environment in the room. He's got the whole package!

I believe that Mrs. Mele has summed up William pretty well, He does have the Whole Package. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, sugar plum, I love you.