SharivilleLife stories from Shari

We are so lucky to get to be part of a 3 generation life style. Here we seem to do a lot of 3 generation fun things.  Today we were invited over to see Felecia’s new apartment.  It is gorgeous. They will be moving in this weekend.  They have a lake front, complete with ducks, and you know me , I will be out there feeding ducks bread first chance I get. Tyler is looking forward to getting one of those toy motorized boats for the lake.  It is such a Felecia apartment.  A really cute little kitchen with every large appliance, and best of all it’s brand new, just opened, and they are the first occupants in it. For Christmas they got lots of stuff for their apartment.  Felecia has some great decorating ideas to make it a nice cozy home.  Tyler has his own garage, and there is lots of storage space in this place.  Lots of cupboards and granite counters and glass back splashes.  They have a huge walk in closet and a good sized bedroom, a nice big deep bathtub to play in.  After we all checked out the new digs, Felecia took us all to “Jimmy John’s” gourmet sandwich shop for lunch, great sandwiches.  Then we departed company.  

Since Tommy was still home sick, poor baby, Angie took Jerry and I on a sight seeing tour of the local ghetto.  Two places were in the process of building a single family dwelling , both were castles, with the copper covered turrets and all , one was far greater than the other because it had an actual moat being built around it.  I mean what’s a castle without a moat. They have fabulous homes around the DFW area. The recession doesn’t seem to have hurt this area at all.  There’s a lot of money people around here for sure.  The evening was spent watching “Wanted”, with Angela Jolie,  and eating seasoned popcorn.  What a life, think I”m enjoying it.

We started our morning out at the big and wonderful VA hospital.  It’s big and it’s wonderful because of what it has to offer the very deserving veterans of this area.  They have everything there for the vets.  We made a field trip day of it, as Angie had an appt. there. So, all four of us went along with future plans for the rest of the day.  As we left the VA, it had just started to snow, Tommy took us on a tour of downtown Dallas. 

There among the skyscrapers the snow was falling in big lacy flakes and the really high skyscraper buildings were surrounded in snow clouds.  It was so beautiful everywhere.  We drove thru the Turtle Creek area where all the mansions and lovely landscaping is, and trust me, it’s even more beautiful with a couple inches of snow covering everything.  Then Tommy took us all to lunch at” Bone Daddy’s,”  that’s the place that rivals” Hooter’s ” for pretty, scantily dressed little waitresses.  They are really cute girls, and Jerry likes it better than “ Hooters.”  He thinks the girls are better looking. They certainly have a bit less on.  From there we headed out to finish the last little bit of Christmas shopping and food we needed for tomorrow.  By now it was snowing fairly hard.  We stopped at Wal Mart and Tommy found a wallet lying in the snow.  It was a very expensive Louie Viton wallet with $200 cash and lots of credit cards in it.  He tried to find a phone number and ended up calling the number on one of the credit cards.  They in turn called the owner of the wallet, who in turn called Tommy.  It was a great Christmas present for that man.  Imagine losing your wallet on Christmas eve, full of money and credit cards and having someone actually look you up to return it.  I told Tommy that he just got a really big feather in his wings for that special deed.  I tell Jerry that for every good deed done you get a feather in your wings, so when you get to heaven and get your angel wings they will be big and fluffy. I know that what Tommy did just made his Christmas for him because that’s the kind of person he is.  We even drove through a blizzard to give that man back his wallet, because by the time we found him and decided on a mutual meeting place it was almost a blizzard.

We then headed for home and along the way stopped at the firehouse to watch the firemen building a snowman, take pictures and then to Southlake Town center to take pictures of the plaza and tree and Santa’s village all covered in snow.  Tommy just drove us around in the snow while we all took pictures.  By the time we were ready to give up it was almost a white out and the windshield wipers were frozen.  It was 22 degrees with a wind chill of 10.  It was wonderful. The first time in my life that I ever got to drive around in a blizzard, cars were sliding everywhere.  Tommy is a good and safe driver so I never felt apprehensive, just delighted to be there, a once in a lifetime experience.  Both Jerry and I loved it.  Tomorrow we will wake up to a real white Christmas.

Angie holding Teddy

I think that anyone who has not given their heart to an animal has an empty spot in their soul.  We have bit off another big bite.  After being without a dog for awhile now, my heart has been aching for the love I have to give to a dog and the love I know I will get from him.  His name is Texas Teddy Greenfield, and he is so precious.  He’s a Red Heeler, that means he’s an Australian Cow Dog.  He will probably be about 50 # when full grown, he has a docked tail and is gorgeous.  We got  him on Sat. Dec. 19th, 2009, and named him partially after a lost loved one who never had a chance to enjoy his life.  This baby is only 7 weeks old.  He was born Oct 30th, 2009, a Halloweeneve little boy.  He came from a litter of 7, and we picked him because of his color and his birth parents said he was the mellow fellow of the two they were adopting out.  The other puppy was a bit more hyper and he was a Blue Heeler.  I was really taken by his beautiful color and he was definitely more cuddly.  We brought him home to a house full of Angie’s dogs and cats so he is getting a good education from the get go. Ruby, Angie’s Blue Heeler who is going on 15, seems to accept him quite well and will be a good mentor to him.  She is a wonderful dog and very protective of her family.  She will be the best influence on him.. Sasha, Felecia’s dog thinks he’s cute, but stays a distance from him.  Joey the Yorkie is much annoyed with his puppy antics and puts him in his place regularly.  Casey, now there’s another story, he has been the baby in the family, all of about 65 # of him, he is rather reluctant to give up that station in the dog hierarchy.  He’s interested in Teddy, and wants to play, but can’t figure out why he is so small.  He is also in a quandaryabout the toys and who’s toys belong to who.  It’s all going to be a learning experience.  This morning while getting the 4 cats,  plates of tuna with fish oil sprinkled on top, here was Teddy smaller than any of the cats right in the middle of all of them trying to figure out what all the excitement was all about.  The cats are tolerant because they are all quite used to new members being brought into this household of all rescued animals.  They all have a story and it’s all with a happy ending. Espresso the older black cat, she’s about 16 too,  is a bit upset as she has been the center of Jerry’s attention since we have been here, and she does not want to share. She keeps giving Jerry dirty looks as she skirts around the situation.  It has , however, been awhile since a new member has arrived.  About the time they are all comfortable we will uproot Teddy and head back to California.  I held Teddy up to the aquarium so he could see Turbo, and Turbo did not appreciate looking at Teddy.  He stuck his neck out full length, started puffing, and that I had never seen, and repeatedly opened his mouth wide open and took his front feet and kept swiping across his mouth.  Needless to say Turbo was the most upset, he is used to the other animals here and immediately recognized a new face.  I mean he even puts up with Lucky the cat sitting atop his aquarium and doesn’t get that upset.  It was a sight to see, I was so sorry that I had disturbed him as he is definitely one of my favorite animals here in this multi house hold of precious little animals.

Teddy loves his toys

We have yet to take Teddy over to the trailer to meet his new immediate family, Sophie, Ziggy and Scubby Do. I will wait a few days until he gets used to all the excitement around here before I subject him to them. All my cats have been around a dog in their previous lives before we got them, but it’s been a couple of yrs for Sophie and Ziggy.  Scooby not so long and I think he will be the most accepting of a new family member.  This little guy seems to be very flexible, but by his breed he will be the main influence as he grows up and becomes comfortable in his expected role as protector of his pack, us included. Right now he is just our baby and so lovable and cuddly and so interested in all the new things he is learning about and trying to accept.  He sleeps in bed with us at night and I get up a couple of times at night to take him outside to pee pee. Kind of like having a real human baby to tend in the middle of the night. He’s doing a great job.  Yesterday we took him to Petsmart to pick up some food and toys and a coller and leash.  Angie put the on and the leash and he walked on that leash fairly well.  Occas he would balk, but pick right back up.  He is also learning to sit for a treat and we have only had him 3 days. Angie is really good with him, she has Casey trained quite well. Tommy, bless his heart, having just had all the carpets throughly cleaned on Thur. felt is would be just fine to bring this baby home.  He said, Oh well, the carpets need replaced anyway. They do not, but Tommy is special, he could see what it meant to me. And so the saga of the Christmas doggy angel Teddy goes on and I’m sure will figure prominately in our lives in the future.

Yesterday we left early enough in the day to miss the AM traffic rush, headed for two doctors appts. for Jerry.  First with the new cardiologist, who will now be our Texas cardiologist, as he himself proclaimed. He is young and very handsome with a very positive personalty, made us comfortable immediately.  He pronounced Jerry in great condition and the new valve sounded perfect.  We were there almost 2 hours.  They are very efficient in this area.  Everything is automated and done by helpers before the doc gets in to see you.   I guess with the population around here so great they have learned how to cut to the chase.  We were off to lunch with only an hour to spare between docs and having to go all the way across Dallas to get there. That’s the main drawback here is the traffic.  The next doc was The Main Man.  Dr. Michael Mack, the open heart, thoracic surgeon.  He also gave Jerry a clean bill of heath, and we sadly said our farewells.  I will never forget that great man of healing, his down to earth attitude and the fact that he gave Jerry back to us in good health.  I would climb the highest mountain to proclaim this mans genius. Thank you Dr. Mack for being there and being who you are.  By then it was 5:30 in the evening and here that signifies the mad rush to the suburbs from a long day at work in the city. Thousands hit the freeways for the next 2 hours.  We drove thru the outskirts of Dallas, not downtown, and I realize why there is no smog here.  Dallas , Fort Worth area is home to many many of our countries corporate headquarters.  That means white collar jobs and not factory and industry work.  That’s one reason there is so  much money here and they are not feeling the recession like other parts of the country.  Their building are so tall and so attractive  I could just ride around looking at and identifying them.  We passed Mary Kay’s corporate,and I thought of you Mary Hubbard, not that you are not on my mind a lot anyway. I know we are in all your family’s prayers.  Much appreciated and returned to you all.

Anyway, I got distracted from the tail lights.  So leaving the city so late subjected us to a never ending , never ending row after row of red tail lights in front of us and wall to wall traffic of all sorts. We wanted to stop off for a Star Bucks caffeine hit, but could not get off the freeway to do so.  It’s brutal around here.  The upside however is, everything a person could possibly need or want is right here in the DFW Metroplex. And during the right time of day its all at our disposal.  I will definitely, most definitely, plan my excursions into the city on off traffic times.  Two hours of red tail lights in front of me is marked into my brain and not something in my dreams.

Tonight we did a fun annual Christmas tradition,  one that goes on in many many homes across the world.  This year, for Jerry and I, it was esp wonderful and fun.  We as a family decorated the Christmas tree. It was Angie and Tommy, Felecia and Tyler and Jerry and I.  We are not always here for this event as California is a ways from Texas.  This year is special because we are all together and healthy.  It was touch and go for awhile in Nov. just before Thanksgiving .  We were all wondering what the near future would bring with Jerry having to have open heart surgery to replace a malfunctioning aortic heart valve.  Thankfully all the prayers were answered and he is fine now.  All tuned up with much anticipation for the yrs to come. 

We had the Christmas carols jacked up and wine for those wanting to partake , all the animals were underfoot trying to get in on the action, all except Turbo the turtle, who I assure you watched from his perch in his aquarium.  Believe it or not Turbo is very interested in current events. If for some reason the TV is blocked from his view he kicks around in his aquarium until WE realize he can’t see the TV.  Two of the cats, the younger two spend most of the holidays under the Christmas tree.  Lucky and Liberty are the culprits that keep us busy rehanging the ornaments. Espresso and Mocha, the two seniors like the tree but mainly just brief visits.  although Espresso keeps flossing her teeth on the branches, she thinks the tree is real I guess. The dogs on the other hand were constantly under foot and snooping into all the tree ornament boxes.  The  tree turned out to be beautiful considering all six of us coming at it from different directions, in fact it’s one of the best trees we have done.  I think this year more of each of us is going into making this a special Christmas, less commercialism and more family friendly. We have so much to be grateful for and are all looking forward to 2010 with much anticipation for it will bring some major changes for us all, I’m sure.  Wonderful family filled events included.

Tommy in recovery

We all went through the worst 3 days of pain, Tommy esp, but let me tell you when you see someone you love in such pain it hurts you too.  About 3 days ago Tommy discovered he had the beginning of a toothache, which quickly became “The Mother Of All Toothaches.”  He ended up wreathing on the floor in pain.  He had to wait overnight to see the regular dentist, who would not even attempt to fix the problem, it was beyond her.  Going to the oral surgeon for another consult, finding out it was a terribly infected wisdom tooth that had broken in half, nerve exposed.  Starting antibiotics, upping the pain meds and waiting yet another 24 hours to get the oral surgery done.  Then finally, finally all 4 worthless wisdom teeth out.  Trust me wisdom teeth do not bring you any wisdom , only misery.

Now Angie, or Felecia will never have to suffer the agony of wisdom teeth, nor did I.  It is a matter if heredity, on our side of the family wisdom teeth do not exist, however, much wisdom does.  Tommy came home looking like the original mummy, swollen jaws and ice packs, sick to his stomach on pain pills and trying to figure out how to swallow gigantic antibiotics, as we crushed the pain pills.  Trying to get some tomato soup down because of the nausea, what an ordeal, one he will never again have to endure, thank God.  We are all grateful for that.  Now he’s on the mend and eating poached eggs and macaroni and cheese.

I just happened to be here at Angie and Tommy’s when my birthday rolled around.  If you believe, it just happened to happen, well don’t be naive.  I always, like a little kid, know good things happen to me when I’m here for my birthday. And true to form I was not disappointed. Angie and Tommy have taken us on many wonderful  dining experiences and this was an excellent choice. They  took us accompanied by my granddaughter Felecia and Tyler to the most amazing restaurant called Texas de Brazil. I must tell you about this fabulous fine dining experience, because unless you have been there it will amaze you, and if you have been there you are already tuned in to true pleasurable dining.  This is one of those places where prices are not included on the menu, where each table has their very own server, plus busboy and mat’ter de that circulates around to be sure all guests are happy and satisfied. And best of all the Gauchos.

We were all 6 seated upstairs, via elevator.  The salad bar in one of the main components here, was downstairs.  So it was necessary to take the elevator back down to partake in this fantastic array of delights.  There was every kind of specialty item available to man.  The salad bar is unlike any I have ever seen.  They have a seasonal gourmet  array of 50 to 60 items.  They had Lobster Bisque as the soup of the day.  At the salad bar was smoked salmon, heart of palm, many delightful imported cheeses. prosciutto, grilled portobello mushrooms, shrimp ceviche, imported Italian salamis, sauteed mushrooms, spicy surimisushi,  much much more, plus many side dishes life garlic mashed potatoes , sweet fried bananas, Brazilian cheese bread, house speciality meat sauces and much more. There were dishes of cooked plantains on the table, theory being to cleanse the palate between the different meat courses to really appreciate the different flavors.  Great idea.

 Let me tell you about the Gauchos.  The specialty of this Brazilian restaurant are slow roasted and perfectly seasoned cuts of  beef, pork, lamb, chicken and brazilian sausage,  bacon wrapped filet mignon, lamb chops, pork chops all cooked over open flames.  Gauchos or cowboys from southern Brazil prepared meals over open campfires, thus the theme for this great place.  The gauchos journey through the restraunt  with with the grilled meats  on sword-like skewers taken directly off the grill, stopping at each table to carve slices for diners.  This allows guests to experience a wide variety of offerings. I think most of us tried at least 5 different kinds of meats.  You definately want to go to this place hungry. We managed to drink 3 bottles of wine with dinner, Angie is very good at selecting a good wine.  She’s a California girl who likes to choose California wines.

Since it was my  birthday dinner we all had to have dessert and what a fab display that was.  I had Brazilian flan,  Angie and Felecia had Banana Foster pie, Jerry and Tyler had Chocolate Mousse cake and tommy had Brazilian cheesecake. Of course with wonderful coffee.  That finished off my birthday evening in down town Fort Worth. 

The next morning Tyler and Felecia took us to Joe’s for a great brunch, we had all the good home cooked items.  biscuits and gravy and ommlets , Bacon and eggs, chicken fried steak, wonderful breakfast.  And best of all a happy birthday song from my favorite  waitress, wearing the birthday hat.  It’s the only place I would let that happen.  It was actually a fun experience, and a great way to end my 67th birthday. I will be back!!!!

a

Family is everything to me.  We are  fortunate enough to be able to spend the 2009, holidays with 3 generations  of family,  Jerry and I, Angie and tommy and  Felecia and Tyler.  We had the best Thanksgiving , ate wonderful leftovers. This morning, Thanksgiving Saturday, a unanimous decision was made, ” lets go to brunch at Joe’s”.  So all 6 of us piled into 3 different cars, not just usual cars, mind you, but very special wrapped cars , the kind that turn peoples heads. (Joe’s is a special hangout for Jerry and I from our first visit here several years ago.)

Then, Oh my goodness, Tommy mentioned Gelato.  Everyone who knows me knows my weakness is ice cream, my favorite dessert, unless of course gelato is available , by most very favorite dessert. So off we went to South Lake Town Center, for the best gelato around, with visions of gelato dancing thru my head.  Would it be Birthday Cake flavor or Bubble Gum, or Cookies and Cream or Pineapple or even Carmel and Sea Salt, which Angie had. I ended up with Snozzberry, very distinctly delicious. Now where did that flavor come from?  It was a breezy day but warm in the sun, so we all gravitated to the benches surrounding the huge fountain to partake in our wondrous tasting delights.  There was Felecia  with Chocolate Covered Cherry gelato dripping down her chin onto her boots, just like days of old.  Brought back more memories of days gone by.  Now tho she’s all grown up. Thank God , for years gone by and memories.

South Lake Town Center is one of my favorite places, esp during the holiday season.  The smaller fountain is running red and green water, to set the stage, and best of all Santa has arrived.  There are carriage rides and busy holiday shoppers everywhere.  There are dozens of gorgeous shops and very fine restaurants, including my favorite, Mi-Cocina.  Best Mexican food ever, and I’m not even exaggerating.We all spent some time at Barnes and Noble Book Store, here it’s so large they have escalators to the second floor.  We all have an affinity for reading and could spend hours perusing that store.  What a wonderful day spent with wonderful loving people, then home for order out Pei-Wei, Chinese food, great ending to a fabulous day.

As I’m writting this I’m looking out on to Angie’s beauthful backyard and pool and counting my blessings to be here with my family for this special holiday, my favorite of the year. To have the pleasure of cooking dinner with my daughter and granddaughter, and to have Jerry healing and doing so well, and to have the best son in law possible.  Very often we, as people, tend to take so much for granted. I find the older I get the more I appreciate things in life.  I guess thats how it usually goes.  I have had a longer time to reflect back and see the difference. We have had the opportunity to see our daughter grow form a wonderful inquiring child to a confident georgous , very successful woman, mother and wife.  She has grown both personally and professionally, and just keeps on surprising me with her entrepreneurial  spitit and capabilities.  We have seen  our totally beautiful granddaughter, Felecia, grow up and  have had to previledge of watching and participating in all her growing up experiences, thanks to her mommy, Angie, always including us in her mile stones.  Soon we will see her graduate from the University of North Texas with a degree of Business, with emphasis on entrepreneurship.  She has such a bright future ahead of her.  She is in a relationship with a very fine young man, Tyler Dunn who is responsible and hard working.  He will soon be discharged from the Army after just completing a tour in Afghanastan.  We could not be prouder of him. We have had the opportunity to see our daughter happily married to her “soul mate”, Tommy.  We love Tommy as our own.  Talk about a dynamo, he never ceases to amaze me with his imagination and super positive attitude. He can accomplish things that most  people only dream of. Tommy is the most creative thinking person that ever entered our lives.  He combines his creativeness with his productivity and gets miracles done.   He manages to do all these things and still remain the most thoughtful , caring and real person you would want to know. Tommy goes out of his way to make life better for other people with never a selfest bone in his body. Jerry and I are truly blessed to be here with this wonderful loving family for this splendid holiday, made so by the combined effort of all. I wish you all a HAPPY THANKSGIVING.