Quarter Bears

After 10 years, the state quarters finally came to their conclusion, this December, with the issuing of Alaska and Hawaii. It was a time of rejoicing, for many who had stuck with the finding of each coin and adding it to their collection. As my friend mentioned on his blog recently, he has a map of the United States and his is now filled with the quarters. I have the same type map...except I have 3 of them (what were we thinking, lol) But that's not all I have... I took a ferry one year from Burlington, Vermont to Port Kent, New York. It was a wonderful trip across Lake Champlain and while we rode the ferry, I went to shop in their gift store. There on display, were these cute little bears called Quarter Bears. Each state bear was different and represented, via color, state seal, etc, the state. They have a little pocket on the front of the bear, for the state quarter and were released, as the quarters were, 5 a year. I fell in love with them and to honor the trip I was taking, I bought a Vermont and a New York Bear. My brother and his family live in Massachusetts and so I bought that one, too and flew them home to California. They lived quite happily in my living room...but I felt that something was missing. A couple of years passed and I went searching to see if there was such a thing as a California Bear and found it online. So I bought it and my set is complete, at least for me. I have the state I was born in and the state I live in. The bears sit on the shelf that my son made for me, many years ago. Nice quality work, that really showcases the bears. :-)

The Younger Hefners

My husband reads Playboy.

I have no problem with that and I usually read some of it, too. The articles are interesting. ;-)

I have watched the magazine change over the decades I have been involved with my guy. How it was in the beginning and how it changed when he got married to his wife, Kimberly and how he came out the other side, as this old swinger, with multiple girlfriends, all with white blond hair. (What's the deal with that, she asks innocently?)

During his marriage, he fathered 2 boys, Marston and Cooper. Marston was born April 1990 (6 months before my son) and Cooper, September 1991. So they sit right there with my son, in age and coming to manhood right now.
Playboy did a 20 questions with them in their January 2009 issue and I found it fascinating to delve into their minds. Seeing how much alike they are to my son and his friends.

My favorite question was when the interviewer asked them what pranks they pulled as kids. They go on to explain that they would bring some friends over to the Mansion during a party, dress up in camouflage or black and all carry walkie talkies and basically execute an OP. They go on to explain that they KNOW where all the security cameras are, so they were successful in their missions. This so much reminds me of my son and his friends and I laughed out loud, to hear that they were being raised so normal.

Another comment I found of interest was that they, for years, would have a Thursday Family night with just the 4 of them. Playing board games like "Sorry" and watching TV and just hanging out together. The kids were the ones who finally thought it was not cool to hang with their parental units and instead would go out with friends. Now they look back from their lofty ages of 18 and 17 and realize that they should not have done that. The nights they missed are lost forever to them.

They also mention that they have a real problem going to the library at the Mansion, because Hef has a picture of their mother hanging above the TV set in that room. Just a bit too much for these kids, who really seem to have their heads on straight.

I wish them all the luck in the world and hope they manage to flourish, in spite of their very unconventional lives.

Oh and I learned that if I ever was invited to the Mansion, not to swim at the Grotto... Eeeeewwwweee.

===============
Photo is from
Playboy and is
deliberately
fuzzy.
Marston on the
left, Cooper
in the chair
on the right.

Spear Of Destiny

This week's Unit episode brings us into a tale of the Knight's Templar.

Two Unit members end up parachuting out of a plane that is going down. Jonas is fine...but not Mack. He's hurt and needs care. Jonas finds a monastery in the area and gets them to take care of his hurt brother. The story goes from the real, to the dream, to the far out, all in the course of an hour. You need to suspend some belief along the way, but I found the show to be fascinating...of course, I have a love of things having to do with the Knight's Templar.

Hector Williams turns up in this episode in the Dream Sequences and it was just so nice to see him again. We get closure on so many levels, his death and who killed him, are the big 2. In the back of many minds, including mine, we felt that Colonel Ryan ordered his death, so it was good to see that put to rest.

There is also closure on the Kim/Bob front in regard to the mission they have both been working on. Kim learns a little too much about the life her guy lives, while working in The Unit. I don't know how this new knowledge will affect their relationship. That remains to be seen.

All in all, a good episode. Not the best, but interesting and worth seeing.

San Diego Bay

My Water Post for today.

San Diego Bay extends north and touches the end of MCRD (Marine Corps Recruiting Depot). A calm waterway that sports a lovely restaurant, with this view out the windows.
It's only a block or two away from the recruits...but miles away in serenity.

Well, minus the planes taking off, from San Diego International Airport, of course. :-)

I loved it and I hope you do, too.

Wedding Ring Maintenance

Actually, this post is about my engagement ring. :-)

This is my ring set.
I have had it for 28 1/2 years of my life and I wear it every day, so it gets lots of use. About 20 years ago, one of the prongs on my ring gave up the ghost and the stone would move around in the setting. I immediately brought it to our local jeweler and they fixed it for me. They also had a free cleaning service and I used that every few years, to keep track of how it was doing and to keep it looking good. They eventually went out of business and I no longer had a place to go.
The years passed and this Holiday Season, I get a coupon in the mail, for a jewelery store that does free cleaning. YES! I think to myself and I go on a road trip, following addresses on the New Year weekend. I finally was successful and find out that they are right down the row, from my bagel store. I never noticed them over there.
I walk in and tell the jeweler that I want my rings cleaned. He takes a look at my ring and he immediately says, your prongs are all worn out. In the back of my mind, I KNEW that and that was why I had immediately gone looking for them. So he took my ring from me and I spent the better part of the week without my engagement ring.
It felt funny as all heck, but I survived having just my wedding band.
He suggested regular cleaning and said that the prongs probably will only last about 10 years. I was very lucky, that I did not lose my diamond. Not like it's worth a lot of money, but it's mine and I love it.

My advice for today...Check your wedding rings. :-)

Cross Country - Take 3: Deep In The Heart Of Texas

This is part 3 of my experiences driving Cross Country. The last post was here.


Dallas, Texas

After our eventful evening in Arkansas, we leisurely drove across the border, into Texas. We would spend the next few days, in the largest State in the U.S. (at least in the lower 48, that is).
Texas, for the most part is TOTALLY flat. After driving the mountains along the Eastern Seaboard, this was quite a jolt to us. We camped just to the West of Dallas, in Arlington, Tx. There is an amusement park right in the area, the original 6 Flags Over Texas. We didn't go, since a few days earlier, we had been to Opryland, the home of American Music and one's budget can only take so much "Theme" Park prices.
So, instead of riding coasters and such, we set down roots and decided to "Do Dallas". We asked residents where a good place to go was and they mentioned a local rodeo and so we decided that this sounded interesting to us and so we went. We drive to this rodeo ring and watch the "Cowboys" do their thing. Roping calfs, riding broncs, and all around having a grand old time showing off. Being my outgoing girlfriend has a tendency to attract this type of person, we had plenty of attention. When we finally decided we had had enough testerone, we headed out to the car and found out that while we were in the building, this huge bumper sticker had been plastered onto the trunk of her car, though we have no idea who or why it was put there. My friend was NOT happy with this addition to her cars paint job.
BTW, the car we traveled in was a '72 Ford Torino (quite a popular car now days, due to Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino movie). I just found the diary of the trip and the car began the trip at 77 thousand miles and ended it at 80 thousand.

The next morning we got into the car and headed back to Dallas. By the way, as we drove into downtown Dallas, the music from the TV Show Dallas, was running through my head. It was a big hit show at that time (the Who Shot JR stunt hadn't happened yet).


Upon our arrival, we immediately drove over to Dealey Plaza, the location where John F. Kennedy was shot and killed. We found a place to park, with a museum near it and viewed the exhibit. I don't know how my girlfriend felt, but for me, the whole area has such a weighty feeling of history attached to it, more so then even Ford's Theatre, where Lincoln was shot. I think the fact that he was shot, right there on television and that we all saw the footage, countless times, has something to do with it.
I remember walking on the grass by Dealey Plaza, just taking it all in...The Texas Book Depository, The Grassy Knoll, the triple underpass, just off to the west, it all looked just the same. I truly don't know how the residents of that town, can work and live in that area.
After all this heavy stuff, we headed over to the World Trade Center in Dallas. It is mostly closed to the general public, but we enjoyed what we could see. We then went to the local Wax Museum which had a historical account of the history of Texas. It was interesting, but not worth the money.
After that we tried to see the farmers market, but found it was just a farmers market and not interesting at all. We then returned to the campsite and called our families. Went to bed and at 3 in the morning, we had a thunder storm and then adjourned to the car for some protection. The next morning we tried to get a tour of the local GM plant, but our time didn't mesh and we ended up heading west.


Midland/Odessa, Texas

We ended our day at the Midessa KOA in between Midland and Odessa Texas and talk about a God forsaken area of the state. There was nothing much there, but dead grass...and Grasshopper Oil Wells, going up and down constantly. We camped in the shadow of a couple of them, as I recall. I guess the campground made a bit extra, having them there.
We made dinner and we made friends with 2 female park residents and spent some time in their trailer, enjoying learning about the place we were at. We called our families and then turned in for the night...or did we? It was real windy and we were worried for the tent. So we ended up pulling down the tent and just sleeping in the car, instead.

More to come,

Tuscon, AZ

Grand Canyon, AZ


Cross Country Take 4 is here.

Magic Action From My Magic Son

No matter where he goes...so go his cards. My "Magic" son doesn't care who is around, anyone is fodder for his magical tricks.
Here we were, waiting in the stands for "Other" son #1 to graduate last October. We had a bunch of people with us and he instantly fills the void, with tricks that mesmerize them all, even my guy.

He's so good at that, it's almost scary.

My Son The Designer

I have mentioned before that my son worked on blue prints for our new Church, that is in the process of being built.
I had seen the plans, several years ago, but I never expected to go on a tour of the half completed building and see those plans actualized.

In this picture, is the Choir section, with raised steps, partially designed by my son.

It is a very humbling thing to see.

Aurora...Guardian Angel Of Dreams

"As night falls and the stars twinkle in the sky, Aurora, the Guardian Angel of Dreams, appears to sprinkle your thoughts with stardust as you gently drift off to sleep. She paints the canvas of your dreams and protects you as you slumber. But even in waking hours she works her magic...inspiring Hopes and Dreams.
She rests gently on your shoulder, whispering words of encouragement, helping to turn dreams...into reality."

She was a Christmas/Hanukkah present from a friend this year. I truly love her and the cute card that came with her, brings the statue to life.

She takes up residence here on the left side of my "angel" blog home, as well as joins my Garden Angel in the living room of my "real" home.

May she indeed turn dreams into reality.

Bad Beat

This episode of The Unit should have been called: "Chasing the Dragon". Of course the Steely Danish among us will immediately get the connection.

"Tonight when I chase the dragon
the water will change to cherry wine
and the silver will turn to gold
Time out of Mind"

Sorry, I couldn't resist... :-)

Getting back on point...The Unit team is working with the skeevy CIA agent, played by Ricky Jay. Yes, reports of his death have been greatly exaggerated. He's back and the guys have a proposition for him. He gets what he needs...if he gives them back their girl, Bridget. She has been hiding out if the Philippines for the past couple of episodes, due to her putting her career on the line, to get the team out of Syria. He agrees...and the game is on!
Unfortunately for Bob, the bad guys get him and begin a torture segment, that includes doses of "China White" Heroin. I had a very hard time watching it and I don't even want to think about it, but Scott Foley played it well.
How it all ends up, I will leave you, dear reader to find out on your own.
My comment on the episode, is that I personally hated it and I am not the only one. But others liked it and I guess that's why there are different strokes for different folks.

Next week, Mack gets seriously injured. ACK!

Ducks At Hempsead Lake

My Water Post for today.

When I was back in NY in October, my sister and I took a walk to a lovely bench at Hempstead Lake State Park. There were people there who had the foresight to bring some bread along with them, to feed the ducks. I don't know if it's good for the ducks, but I loved watching them in action, as I am sure countless generations have before us.

I hope you like them.

It Pays To Have Friends In Interesting Places - "Old Barney" Makes A Comeback

Back in October, I flew down the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, between NY and Washington, DC. At the time I lamented the fact that it got cloudy and I could not see the light house that I have come to love...Barnegat Light on Long Beach Island, New Jersey.
My friend from New Jersey introduced me to this lighthouse years ago and when I changed blog fronts, I remembered some of his photos and he graciously allowed me to add a photo he had taken of Barnegat Light, onto my blog.

Recently, we learned that there would be a relighting of "Old Barney", on New Year's night. He decided that in spite of the bitter cold, he would attend the relighting and report on it.

With his kind permission, here is a link to his blog entry, "Old Barney" Rekindled.

Two Views From The Mother Ship

Back in October, I went on a journey to what is known as The Mother Ship, in my world. I had been to the HQ several times in the 90's, but I had never seen their new digs in Crystal City.
When I walked in, I was immediately greeted by the receptionist and she directed me up a flight of stairs. As I begin to walk up the stairs, I get close to the sculpture hanging down from the ceiling that rises high above me and I see that on each white circle, is a member station's call letters. I thought that this was so cool!
So, of course I had to take a picture of some of it, including my own stations circle, which is over in the center area of the picture. :-)






We met upstairs for our meeting and shortly after arriving, they went to take pictures of us all. New Reps, Old Reps, Board...all that normal kind of stuff.
We go out into the common area and stand behind this mural of shows and stuff (don't ask me about that bat thing over on the far left) lol

During the conference, I would get breaks and try to call my hubby and when I would be talking to him, all these things on the mural would be looking at me. It was kind of freaky, to tell you the truth.

So that's a little hint as to the world I dealt with, back in October. I hope you enjoyed the journey.

=================
Photos
#1 Is a partial look
at the sculpture.

#2 Is me and a few
friends.

Rose Parade Memories - A Tale Of Two Parades

This was written on New Year's morning, 2009.


I am sitting here, alone (Hubby is working and the little guy is now an adult and spent the evening at a party at "Other" son #1's house). I have no problem with being alone, but it gave me the time to be reminded of the 2 times I have been privileged to view the Rose Parade. One time was before we had my son and the other, with my "young" son in tow.
The stories are a tale of two income levels and two different situations.

The 98th Tournament of Roses Parade "World of Wonders" on January 1, 1987

Our friends from Phoenix, also known as my husband's Army buddy and his wife, had a standing bet that if ASU ever played in the Rose Bowl, then they would attend the Rose Parade and do the whole shebang. At the time of the bet, it was the PAC 8 and ASU was not in it. In 1978, Arizona's 2 major Universities were added, to make the PAC 10 that we know today. We all knew it was only time, before he would have to pay that long standing debt. January 1, 1987 found ASU pitted against Michigan (ASU won the game 22-15). Our friends bought a camper space on Sierra Madre Blvd, which is the final 1/3rd of the Parade Route. They drove their (sister's) Motor Home down to Pasadena and we met them at the camper. Hubby and I parked at a friend's driveway and walked the route to Sierra Madre. They were in a Volkswagen Car lot, with the camper backed up to the fence on the street. We could mount the motor home and sit there high above the street in chairs and watch the parade. Unfortunately for the location, many of the floats have broken down, by the time they get down to this point in the parade route and there are HUGE gaps in the parade, lots of tow trucks pulling the floats and many tired bands and people. Not exactly the most exciting way to see this parade...but we had a blast anyway. Their oldest child has a birthday each year on the first, so one of our highlights was a birthday party on top of the camper at midnight. The child must have loved the fact that everyone was up and partying with us. lol


Fast Forward almost 10 years later...



107th Tournament of Roses Parade "Kids, Laughter & Dreams" on January 1, 1996

My son had recently turned 5 and in a last minute opportunity, one of my bosses, gave me tickets to the grandstand right across the street from the Norton Simon Museum. We had worked on the float about a month previous and were excited to see how it had turned out all decorated. Working a float is another story entirely and maybe next New Year, I will tell you about that. :-)

Since we had a young child with us, we did not spend the night before at the parade route. We had seats in the Grand Stand, so we could come at the last minute and that's exactly what we did. We got there early and parked off of Orange Grove Blvd. Orange Grove, is where the floats are staged, just prior to the start of the Parade, so as we walked toward Colorado Blvd, we could look at the floats lined up down the middle of the street. It was an unforgettable experience to see the flowers and smell them and experience that which is the Rose Parade, up close and personal. We also passed Tournament House, the house that is the headquarters for the Tournament of Roses Association.
After that long walk, we finally got to the Grand Stand and climbed up high above the street. The Broadcast booths were right above us and we had no less then 4 helicopters hovering over our heads. For the first time ever, the Grand Marshall of the parade was a "non-human", the puppet, Kermit the Frog. I just read that the puppeteer said it was the hardest gig he ever had as a puppeteer because he had to have his hand up for 3 straight hours. Yikes!

The float design picture that you see with this blog entry is the float that my station was involved in. It was created by Raul Rodriquez and built by Fiesta Floats for Southern California Edison. I happen to own a copy of the original design, signed by the artist and it hangs in my den.
The cars on the float, were the first all electric cars ever in a Rose Parade, so on top of Kermit the Frog, it was a year of firsts, on more then one front. The main thing I remember about the parade was that Honda had one of those large robot floats, that they have become famous for over the years. It was a beautiful day and everything worked and the parade was exactly as you see it on TV. What a difference from the last time we were there.
After the parade ended, we had an invite to the after party at a local hotel. We followed the parade (keeping an eye out for horse droppings, of course). lol
We got to the hotel and we had a spectacular brunch furnished by Southern California Edison. A peek into a life we normally never see or experience. It was great!
We then walked back to the car and drove home. Amazing to us, in the hour or so we were away, everyone disappeared and normal life was returning to Colorado Blvd.

That's my Tale of Two Parades. I hope you enjoyed them.

All Is Quiet On New Year's Day

Thanks to U2 for the title of this post. :-)

Just a quick piece of business.

I went to change the day on my countdown to the end of the digital turn off and remembered a message I got today, at work. The powers that be are on a final push to the end of analog and what they are bringing to the forefront is the fact that just because you are ready, your neighbors may not be. If you know people, especially the elderly, please check in with them and find out what they have done, or not done and give them some pointers.
This shut off comes during the height of winter and they will truly be cut off from communications, without some help.

Thank you