SharivilleLife stories from Shari

Well hello again.  Things continue to move right along.  I can’t find anything I’m looking for, I cant remember to reorder scripts, I even for the first time ever will have to hand deliver my voting ballot, because I forgot to mail it before now.  I will surely be glad to get this surgery over with and so will Jerry,seems he has to suffer with me all my mistakes and avoidance’s too. My mind is just elsewhere.

We did miss the McCloud outing with the Good Sams of Durham, just to much walking etc at this time. We will make up for it at a later date. Thurs. night  we did manage to attend the graduation of my nephew Jessee and Denise’s daughter Mia on the West side,in Princeton.  There were a total of 18 graduates. Both Jessee and Mia got nice scholarships.  Mia was Salutatorian and gave a nice speech.  We are so proud of her.  Jesse was just radiant up there on stage.  Jessee had done some home schooling and was behind on credits to start with, so he had to work extra hard to get caught up to graduate with his class, but he came through like the trooper that he is.  It reflects good fetching up. Jessee will be attending Butte JC in the fall and Mia is going all the way down to Fresno to a 4 yr college. I love graduation ceremonies, they are so important and represent such milestones in these kids lives.  Felecia, our granddaughter will be graduating with a degree in business and entrepreneurship  from North Texas University in Aug.  She has managed to work full time and go to Europe for 3 mos, and still get through with flying colors. She is in the top of her class.  We are proud grandparents too. In between it all she’s been very active in her Sorority. She’s just phenomenal, and beautiful inside and out.

Sat we attended the graduation party held at a local hotel in Willows for Jessee and Mia.  It was a swimming party for the kids and lots of food.  Shawn made carnitas, and Denise made 7 layer dips and lots of fresh fruit and salad. There was a big turnout and the kids really had a great time.  We parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles really enjoyed the festivities too. Rene did the decorations and some of the food and there were two cakes for both Jessee and Mia.  It was a beautiful setting and the weather was wonderful.  We were able to eat outside on the patio. It will be fun now to see what these kids, including Felecia, will go on and do with their lives. Angie and I personally know what a college degree is worth and are proud of ours.

Have you ever been invited to someones house, gone there, and knew immediately you were in a safe, loving environment.  The atmosphere and surroundings were idyllic, peaceful and you knew you wanted to spend more and more time there?  That’s the very feeling I get each and every time I set foot into the wonderful home of Mary Hubbard.  Mary probably has the largest home in the little town of Willows, and it is filled with love and love from past generations.  Mary is a collector of beautiful things past and present.  She’s also a collector of people.  People are drawn to Mary like bees to honey.  She has a wonderful caring and genuine feel for people, people in various phases of their life.  Mary seems to know when a person is in need, she had become a very personal and cherished friend in my life.  Whether it’s a personal, or a spiritual need or just a good meal.  She just draws people to her because of her loving, caring nature. Jerry and I were so fortunate to spend after Easter services at The Ark , at Mary’s welcoming home for a simply great beef rib dinner.  Mary has talented cooks among her children.  Shawn, my niece’s husband and Mary’s son,  should have his own restaurant along with her daughter Rene who performs miracles with food.  We had the best roasted ribs, with potato and green salads and a delightful raspberry jello dish, we has asparagus and calico beans and rolls and for dessert Rene had made Portuguese sweet bread.  Believe it or not I had never tried it.  I have seen it for sale in the markets but just never bought it.  It’s wonderful and just melts in your mouth.  Mary also had a Red Velvet cake, which Jerry loves.  Everyone brings something and is enjoyed by all.   Rene sent home a care package of potato salad and Portuguese Sweet bread. Mary has 5 children 3 of whom are living close by and with their children it makes for a wonderful family group and we have been included into many family fun events, for which we are so grateful and happy to participate.  We now refer to them as our “West Side Family,” and thank God every day for them.  They have helped us so much in our spiritual growth, and Lord knows I need all the help, I have so much to learn.  We love the great family atmosphere and the love that just radiates from that house.

Mary kept popping up into my life the last few years in various strange unassociated ways.  She’s whats called a “shirt tail relative.”  Not to be construed in a rude way. Her son is married to my niece, Tracy Hartman Hubbard.  I had not been in contact with my niece Tracy for many many yrs. she is my deceased brothers daughter and I have not been close to that side of the family.  The icing on the cake was when Mary’s daughter,Denise,  purchased our previous 5th wheel trailer, via an Internet add.   Mary came over from Willows with Denise to get the trailer and that was it, we just connected.  Mary invited me to a woman’s retreat through her church and sight un seen I accepted….. How often do you meet someone that you immediately click with and trust  so completely.  That happened to me with Mary and her daughter Denise.  The Woman’s Retreat, led both Jerry and I to their church, The Ark, in Willows.  Soon after  attending a couple of church services  we were hooked.  We felt comfortable and welcomed by the church family.  Jerry and I had been considering looking into finding a church and” Wa La ‘ here it was. After the pastor’s first service we felt we had found what we were looking for.  This is a very spiritual church with like minded folks trying to make a difference, and they certainly have for us.  Another thank you to Mary.  I think when she met me she could feel the need I was experiencing and held out her hand to include me that day in the wonderful experience of the woman’s retreat.  It had an immediate effect on me and I was sure Jerry would be able to identify too. I have to admit The Ark is a church of fully participating worshipers who welcome the Holy  Spirit into their  realm with gusto and praise.  I was used to a much more docile atmosphere during church services.  I have come to realize that this is an  expression of powerful   love of the Lord, with lots of music and singing praises.

So this was how we spent our first wonderful Sunday, Easter Sunday, home after almost 7 mos.  It was a very special welcome home Easter holiday.  Thanks to our “West Side Family.”  Jerry and I love all of you…………….S  and  J.

When a family member gets sick or has a crisis, it’s often difficult to deal with.  You feel helpless and inadequate, you fear for the outcome.  Yesterday we got a call from Angie that Casey ,  onean IV and gave him some Valium.  Blood work was done, which turned out normal.  The Dr. wanted to observe him for 24 hours, for further seizures.  As of last night he was doing OK.  The Dr. thinks possibly while down at the shop he managed to get into something that caused a reaction.  It’s either that or he has epilepsy.  That will take time to determine.  In the meanwhile we will ALL keep the vigil and pray for Casey.

We are praying for Casey’s rapid return to health.  He’s such a special dog, aren’t they all.  This one is the baby in the family, less than 2 yrs old.  He sleeps with Tommy and Angie at night on the bed.  He’s the life of the party at home.  He’s gentle and loving and wears his feelings on is paw.  He looks at you with his big liquid brown eyes and you can just absorb the love in them.  He loves to play with his toys and he loves his cookies from the Three Dog Bakery.  In fact he is looking forward to the next Mutt Mixer at the bakery later this month.  He and Teddy plan to attend.

He has become my puppy Teddy’s best friend and mentor.  He is so patient with him dispite all the little puppy tricks Teddy pulls on him.  Teddy greatly misses Casey and he told me so.  He never quits checking out the house and yard for him.  I told him he would be home soon.  Casey has taught Teddy food manners, ie, don’t try to eat out of other dogs food dishes, but  we will share the water.  Casey does get tired of drinking the water that Teddy has washed his feet in tho.  Maybe when he gets home he will concentrate on  teaching Teddy water manners.Another lesson Casey is teaching Teddy is that rawhide bone is MINE, until I tell you otherwise.  Now he needs to teach Teddy some patience like he has. 

We are presently awaiting news from the Dr on Casey’s night of observation.  I am sure he rebounded well and will be home with all his loved ones today.  We miss him so.

It has been great to get to spend extra time with all the animals who live with Tommy and Angie.  There are 3 dogs  and 4 cats.  Plus Turbo the aquatic turtle.  He definitely is family.  Today he let us know that his filter was plugged by going to the filter and rattling it around to get it to partially work.  He’s a very resourceful turtle. Tommy fixed it for him and now he’s a happy turtle.  It’s my desire that all the animals are happy.

The oldest is Espresso, she’s the black cat and is about 17.  You would never know it, shes beautiful, shiny and healthy.  She has a bourbon tenor voice, don’t know where that came from, but we are sure she is on the wagon.  Her thing is after the lights go out at night she howls. No one knows why, but if Angie lets her into her bedroom to sleep with them, shes just fine?  She knows how to work the system. Espresso prefers men, she’s Jerry’s buddy. She’s also a California cat originally.

Then in line of hierarchy comes Mocha.  She’s a Tortoise shell, with big beautiful eyes, white whiskers and such a lovely face.  Mocha likes to groom peoples hair, at the very least she loves to lay behind you on the couch or pillow and just rest her paw on your shoulder.  She just loves to touch and has a purr you can hear across the room.  She’s so loving, and is the prettiest cat of all. She’s very social and hangs out in the kitchen when I’m cooking, hoping for a snack. Mocha is a Calif cat too.

Next in line is Ruby.  Ruby is a Blue Heeler and quite the old lady.  She’s a senior dog now about 16.  Shes beginning to show her age now and struggles at times.  But she is so loving and remains the alpha dog.  She gets  respect from everyone, including the people in her life.  She looks up at you with those big brown loving eyes that melt your heart.   She’s very much Angie’s dog and has been so protective of her since day one.  Shes been Angie’s loving companion since she came into Angie’s life.  Ruby came from the Butte County Humane society in Chico. I love Ruby very much and she knows who loves her.  She is also my kitchen companion, she’s a smart cookie.

Next in line would be Joey. Angie dug Joey out from under a bush.  He’s a cracker Jack Yorkie. He was discovered by Ruby hiding under a bush while she and Angie were out on a run on a lonely road in the middle of nowhere.  Angie said at first she thought he was a big rat, except Ruby approved of him, so she did further investigation and found a Yorkie.  He was literally starving.  He belonged to someone who was greatly abusing him.  He was flea infested, wormy, under nourished and dehydrated.  The vet Angie took him to expressed the hope that no one would ever find his original owner.  That became a reality and Joe has been family for over 10 yrs now.  He lost the vision in his Left eye due to a tussle with another dog, but he never lets on to his disability and has coped wonderfully.  Joey is quite the character and truly believes he’s a big dog anyway.  He remains very protective of his food, he’s never been able to conquer the fear of not having enough food.  He got his name partially because when Angie first got him he had a habit of drinking left over coffee out of cups, we figured that’s the only way he could find fluid to drink.  There’s a longer story about Joey but all that’s important is that he was rescued from deaths door, and now he has a wonderful life.  Hes even flown to Calif. on two occasions to visit me. Joey is about 11 yrs old , a little dog with a great big personality. Joey is precious to me.

Then came master cat, a yellow cat that is.  Jerry named him Lucky because he was so lucky to get a home.  Angie transported him from Arkansas where he was dumped there during one of  Angie’s business ventures.  He was headed for the pound when Angie’s group took up a collection, got him a crate, a cat box and some food and smuggled him into the hotel.  Angie was lucky enough that the airline person didn’t charge her for his transportation to DFW.  Lucky is definitely the “cock of the walk”, with his yellow cat personality. He can be very affectionate if he wants to and gives very sweet kitty kisses.  He will also play with the dogs if the notion strikes him.  He’s an important and loved part of this animal and human family.

Then one very hot 4th of July a few yrs ago little Liberty was discovered hiding behind a gasoline pump, just hoping to see better days.  Here is another very sad beginning.  Tommy was low on fuel and had to make a stop in the ghetto.  There she was -  just a kitten.  She had been so abused, she had a broken leg and tail.  She was also infested with everything, starving and thirsty.  Angie grabbed her up and they drove her into a wonderful life.  Liberty got her name because she was found on the 4th of July.  She’s a Calico with lovely blue eyes that almost always focus.  She’s very gentle and timid, but so loves to be petted ever so gently, just not picked up and cuddled.  Guess she had her fill of the human touch before the kids found her.  She’s a sweet baby and we all love her.

Then along came Casey.  What a find. Tommy and Angie found him up for adoption at the Pet-co parking lot.  He was found chained to a Rottweiler somewhere.  They figure he was 6 to 9 mos old.  He’s mostly a Swiss Mt dog,called and Entelbuscher.  He has long legs like a deer and jumps like one too.  He’s mostly black with brown and some white splashed on.  He’s a very gentle loving dog, and has very sensitive  feelings and you can see it in his big brown eyes.  You just melt when he gives you that loving look.  He’s very smart and playful with boundless energy.  He weighs in about 65 #.  But, he is positive he is a lap dog. He insists on sleeping in bed with Tommy and Angie and so it kind of gets crowded with Joey and Casey and Espresso all in bed with them.  But I know they would have it no other way, they are after all family.  If more wanted to bed down with them they would make room. Casey loves his toys and could tear up an iron ball.  He needs tough toys. Casey is also a swimmer and loves to swim in the pool when the weather is good.   He’s the most loving, loyal,  cuddly dog, just a big sweet boy.   Casey has been a good influence on my Teddy, as Teddy was only 7 weeks old when we brought him here to the house.  He has helped to socialize Teddy and  taught him many things.  Casey is  devoted to Angie.

Then of course somewhere in the mix is Turbo the Turtle.  I did an earlier blog on him.  He’s my buddy.  He started out as a  house guest, ie they were baby sitting him when his people decided they didn’t need him anymore and were going to put him in a swamp somewhere.  Well, Angie and Tommy would have none of that and now he’s family.  He lives in a very nice aquarium in the dinnet.  He was silver dollar size when they got him , now he’s almost dinner plate size, with a personality to match.  His favorite color is purple.  He totally drools if you come up to his aquarium with purple on.  He comes to his window and swoons.  He’s a favorite of mine, I just can’t hug him.

So, before we leave to go back to Calif. I wanted to get this blog written.  It’s important that I express how very much all these precious babies mean to me. During all my visits they have been here and welcomed us with open paws.  It has been my pleasure to help take care of all of them.  I will surely miss them all when we leave and hope to return someday to hug them all again, except Turbo, for him I will wear purple.  I love you babies all.

Jerry’s birthday started out good and only got better.  We went to a place called Boopa’s Bagels for a cranberry orange bagel with apricot cream cheese for me then walked down the street to Starbucks so Jerry could get some coffee cake and some coffee for both of us. We sat there and enjoyed our breakfast. From there I walked next door to get my hair cut, had to look nice for Jerry’s pending birthday party that night.  While I was there, and since she did such a good job on my hair, I decided to have some waxing done.  Just to be sure to look extra wonderful.  Well that was possibly asking for to much.  The eyebrows went very well, when we got to the upper lip, you know the mustache touch, well something went very wrong. The girl got the wax on, but there it stayed….. ON.   Boy were we both surprise at that.  When she went to flick the tape off nothing came off.  Nothing was going to get that wax off my upper lip.  I really thought that girl was going to pee her pants when that wax stuck like glue.  And I’m sitting there thinking how attractive I  was going to look on our big night out.   We ended up literally peeling it off and I have whats called sensitive skin.  It seemed to me I could feel the top layer of the skin on my upper lip peeling away with the wax.  A cheap dermabrasion,  but only on one side of my lip.  So then I had a very red half  mustache.  Fortunately the day did get better.  We bought some Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies and went home, because everyone knows Thin Mints will solve lots of problems, esp if you eat enough of them.

Felecia and Tyler came over and Jerry opened his gifts.  He got a beautiful watch from Angie and Tommy and from Felecia and Tyler a burger dinner from Sonics.  That’s a great drive in burger place here with wonderful milkshakes.  It all made his day, but it just got better. From here we went to down town Fort Worth to a simply fab Mexican place called Mia Cocina, they have a speciality drink called the Mombo Taxi.  The ingredients are a secret, but we have all decided its the best drink ever.  One is usually enough.  We spent a couple of hours thoroughly enjoying the food and drinks and company.  Now the next stop we , Jerry and I, were not so sure of.  It’s called Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar.  I guess I pictured a bunch of old folks sitting around a piano listening to oldies passively played on a couple of piano’s, Oh Heck NO.   This was one of those places with a cover charge and a stamp on your wrist, to say YOU have arrived.  From there on it was jumpin non stop music.  Loud, fun, sing along music. There were two pianos, plus drums, an electric guitar and a violin.  There were  5 different band members and each one of them could sing like no one else.  There was never a pause in the music from 8 PM until we left at 1 :30AM.  The band members just kept switching off with no intermission.  We cannot remember a more entertaining night.  The music was of all era’s up to and even one or two Hip Hop songs.  The female singer played the violin as well as Charley Daniels, when she did, “‘ The Devil Came Down to Georgia.” The music and songs were very much audience participation sing alongs.  I was sure I wouldn’t have a voice by the time we left.  Songs like “Lucille”, “Twist and Shout”,”Run Around Sue”, and sooooo many many more.  All six of us laughed and laughed, ,  had a couple margarita’s, sang along with the songs.  The place was packed with standing room even filled up.  It certainly wasn’t a mild piano bar.  Remember ”Road House”, with Patric Swazey,  well this place had the actual ” Coolers” there to keep the peace, just in case.   The “Cooler’s were entertaining all by themselves, with their big heavy flashlights. 

 I should have known the kids wouldn’t pick a dud.  They recognized the fact that 77 yr old grandpa’s are still in the main stream.  Grandpa Jerry sure is.  He hung right in there with all the participation of any of us.  They did a birthday salute and Jerry was right up there on stage participating in the Hokey Pokey, with the rest of them, and then back up on the stage for the salute to Veteran’s when they sang Lee Greenwood’s  “Proud to be an American.”  He just happened to be wearing his Koren Vet hat.  He got lots of hugs from the ladies and handshakes from the guys for his military service.   This place was big enough to hold several hundred people and the joint was jammed.  I can’t remember when Jerry enjoyed himself so much, in fact he put off leaving a couple of times he was having so much fun. I think if we lived here Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar would be a place to go on more than one occasion.  I know we shall return.  It was one more wonderful experience we have enjoyed here in the Metroplex.  Jerry’s birthday was a wonderful success.  Remember take every birthday with a grain of salt, this works much better if accompanied by a margarita. According to Maxine.

Little Joey

Strange things happen in the Strader household.  Usually in the predawn hours of the best time ever to sleep.  The morning started once again with lights going on and off, on and off, people scurrying around opening and closing doors, whispering, more lights more doors more scurrying around. Finally, against my better judgement I dragged myself out of bed to find out what all this excitement was about. I mean really the best time to sleep is in the pre dawn hours of the morning.  Heaven help anyone wanting to change that pattern for me.  It all boiled down to the chirping smoke detector.  I got up, Tommy  was standing on one of the swiveling bar stools trying to unscrew the dang thing, while Angie continued to madly search the house for Joey, the little Yorkie.  Apparently the chirping of the detector had run it’s course with him.  Joey is older now and high strung and anything off the usual absolutely drives him up the wall or better yet under the bed which is where we found him….finally.  After taking several smoke detectors apart Tommy finally found the right one, shut it up and he and Angie left for the shop.  Leaving me to wonder, What The Heck (WTH).  The rest of the morning was spent trying to stay awake until my afternoon nap.

For the young and inexperienced starting out in life on your own is often a real adventure. There’s so much to learn and to put together.  We are watching Felecia and Tyler , our granddaughter and boyfriend begin life together on their own. Felecia is officially in her new digs.  Together they found a really lovely apartment with all the amenities. She’s putting it together with help from her mother, Angie.  It’s so exciting for us as the grandparents to watch it all come together. Grandpa and I went over yesterday and grandpa Jerry got the ice machine going, fixed the water in the toilet, got the dishwasher going and rearranged the track lights in the kitchen so she could actually see in there.

Angie and Felecia put together the coffee table and the little table in the entry, hung the mirror over the table and put up candle sconce’s at the kitchen entry.  Sasha Felecia’s little dog is having a difficult time adjusting to her new environment.  But she will be much happier now that Ruby isn’t riding rough shod on her.   Ruby is Angie’s old fifteen yr old Blue Heeler.  Felecia is having fun putting all her new things away and figuring out what of the old stuff she wants to keep.  I inherited a bag full of sweet smelling body washes and splashes.  Tommy gave Felecia a bonus to buy a washer and dryer which they did today and Tommy helped them hook it all up.

Felecia finished up cleaning her old room which will now become Angie’s exercise studio.  Tommy and I are going to paint the room next weekend.  I love to paint. Next on the kids agenda will be stocking the pantry so they can have some meals in their own place.  I am so excited for them, it’s going to be a whole new adventure.

Tommy and Angie took on out on a wonderful night last night.  They took us to dinner a La Hacienda Ranch, splendid Mexican food.  Some of the best tamales I have ever had.  This is an enormous place , thoroughly decorated Tex Mex style. Check out the pictures of Tommy and Angie on the saddle seats at the bar.  The founder of this restaurant was the man who invented the frozen Margarita machine.  The original machine is now in the Smithsonian Institution.  Needless to say the margarita’s were good too. 

After the dinner Tommy took us over to interlocken in the Arlington area to view the most locally famous Christmas

lights, and scenes.  This particular neighborhood is known for their spectacular Christmas lights and decorations.  Well they were certainly a sight to see, you think of Texas as being flat, but these homes that participate in this lighting spectacular are in a hilly area , which makes for a nice drive thru , even at night. Those of you who know me know I have a penchant for Flamingo’s .  One of the special decorated yards had an old 60′s travel trailer with a Santa sitting in a patio chair with a cooler  and a barbecue in front of him.  There were lighted palm trees he was  sitting under and the travel trailer was being pulled by eight  lighted flamingo’s. It was absolutely the best.  It was a true RVer’s decorated yard. Hope you like the pictures.

Let me tell you a story bout a pup named Ted.  Precious little rascal who has captured my heart.  He never ceases to surprise me with what he’s going to do next.  Most important he is a smart little puppy.  Not just my word for it but also Angie’s, and she recognizes brilliance in this breed.  He knew his name in two days. In two more days he was sitting for treats on command and now he is fast learning  to sit when we stop walking.  He certainly knows the word “NO”, and is fast to respond to it ….usually, that is if it suits him. His breed is known to be a bit hard headed or stubborn and it does show up on occasion.  He has been ours now for 12 days and the first 8 days he was getting up to pee pee at least one time per night. He started out immediately sleeping with us on the bed, it’s a really high bed, so he wasn’t to interested in the big leap. Immediate smarts.  The next 2 nights he let us sleep all through the night.  Now last night was something special , he was panting , so I took him in for a drink of water and then out the front door to do his thing.  After he finished he decided he did not want to follow me back inside as usual and started off down the driveway toward the street.  So here I was outside in my nitie, bare footed,  the drive was frozen and slippery and the lawn still had a covering of snow on it.  Talk about panic, there I was slipping and sliding down the driveway after that little screwball, only I probably wasn’t referring to him as that. Thank goodness he got spooked and stopped and I caught up with him.  Hopefully he will resume sleeping through the night. But I did learn my lesson, next time we need a 2 AM out it will be on the leash. Teddy has become Casey’s shadow and it’s fun to watch him learn from the big dogs.  Casey doesn’t always appreciate the roll as big brother dog, but he knows how to get away from him at times.  Joey will have nothing to do with him and Ruby is very patient most of the time, unless Teddy wants to sniff her ears, then she draws the line and puts him in his place and he is respectful to her, she’s the grandma dog.  Sasha is beginning to warm up to him very gradually. The 4 cats are getting used to him and give him a wide birth.  The one animal in the house that’s totally still unsure of Teddy remains Turbo the Turtle, he still cranes his neck to look down at Teddy from his aquairum and gives him the big blink.  Meanwhile Teddy is chasing Casey around the house and yard and beginning to play with less trials and tribulations.  Casey is beginning to share his toys now and Teddy is glad, he’s getting snapped at less. At first all the toys were Casey’s even Teddy’s,  he was not used to sharing.  Teddy is also learning that he has to be crated up while we are gone, and he still complains bitterly over that.  When you think about it there are so very many things little puppies need to learn.  Teddy is progressing right along tho, he’s a keeper.  On New Years Day he will be  nine weeks old, he’s growing fast and with all the ups and downs I promised Teddy that we would appreciate all of them with him,  good and bad, because he would only be a puppy learning the world , for so short a time. We are with him all the way.  When he’s a grown dog we will look back and laugh about all this.  I will shed a tear too because you’re only a puppy once.