Saturday, October 20, 2007

Yes, its abeen almost two weeks since I last posted, and its not because I haven't been around, just haven't done anything super sensational that I wanted to blog about. How's that for saying nothing?

Highlights of the week was probably Tuesday night, when we went to Milwaukie High School to listed to their choirs sing. My grandson Andrew (now just over 6 feet tall) sang in their concert choir, and he had a solo part in the 3rd song they sang. He did very well, and proud mother has it recorded on her digital camera. Will have to go see it over again one of these days.

Another highlight was little Grace, (you'll see her picture on my last blog) who came over Wednesday with her daddy. I for some reason or other started whistling, and she started doing a little dance. Seeing she liked music, I picked up my trusty harmonica and started playing some bouncy tunes, and she just blossomed, twirling around, and beaming a smile all over. Again and again she went till she got dizzy and fell down. I'm glad she loves music, everyone should you know.

I just went on line to see what Michael and Delynn were doing in Germany, to learn that he hasn't blogged for awhile because his internet service was cut off. Not reading German too well he didn't realize he hadn't signed up, or was weeks behind in paying for the service. He has it taken care of now, and someday soon we hope to see what they are doing again. Checked on Jeanine in Casablanca and nothing new since the last part of September. I know she is busy being mom to 3 active kids as well as teaching in the Academy there.

Am going to try and locate 3 of my old Army buddies, James Bryan of Clayton, Ok, Jimmy Clancy of Roff, Ok and Winston Selwyn of L.A. Calif. Now these addresses are 54 years old so there is no telling if I'll be successful, but I did locate two cousins Janet and Roland, and my last physical contact with them were 57 years ago, so maybe I'll be successful.

I got stopped a minute ago when some music program appeared on the screen. I had tried to download a email message that had this music in it. But, seeing it would take 19 minutes to download, I clicked out of the download, I thought, but here it came. Oh the wonders of modern technology (probably misspelled).

Will sign off now, and see if I can find my friends. So, cherrio.....

Howard

Tuesday, October 9th, 2007

Yes, I know that I'm about 2 weeks late in posting a new blog. And, its because I am not well versed in using the internet that I'm late. Got a message from Google that my website had expired or some such thing, and I was supposed to post a big long bunch of numbers in the URL or somesuch place. AND, I didn't know how to achieve that. But with a bunch of experiments I have gotten a new lease on this page.

BuT WAIT, you didn't want to hear a bunch of excuses, you would probably rather see that new granddaughter, Grace.... So here she is, .....I wish I had taken my camera with me today, as she was in a very happy mood. She had just awakened from nap and was ready to play. She had a empty carton from China and would hold it out to me, and when I would reach for it, she would pull it back and laugh and laugh, and then do it again. We are really enjoying her, and now Grandma has her little Chinese grandchild that she dreamed of years ago.

This picture was taken last Monday the 1st when she came to Gramdma's house for the first time. Donna wasn't home, so I got to get her daddy's 46 year old high chair from the upstairs bedroom closet, and she sat and fed herself. The bottle is in the picture but she really wasn't too interested in it. She's 15 months old, and we love her. AND, of course we lover the other 6 grand children just as much as always. God just lets you have more and more love for new people who come into your lives. But of course, you probably already knew that.

Had a bad experience Sunday night. I was going to a concert at a nearby church, and I was running late, and parking was at a premium, and in my haste to park at the curb, a piece of the curb was sticking out, and I tore the side out of the tire. I tried to listen to the music, but I could only think of that tire that needed changing. Found out the address and called AAA and waited in the car for about 10 minutes. Got the tire changed and Monday went to good old Les Schwab to get a new one.

Since it was a front tire, didn't want a mismatch pair in the lead, so bought a matching one, then found out a rear tire had a nail in the sidewall, and they won't put a patch on the side wall so had to get tire #3. Then to make matters a bit worse, the car wouldn't start, so they gave me a jump and I came home. The battery was new, so called the company I bought the battery from in January and they replaced it, as it was defective.....I was so thankful when I went out this morning for my walk, that all 4 tires were up and then it started okay when we went to see Grace.

Its funny how those little things can get at you in a hurry....Wonder if you can stand another picture of Grace. Here goes. whoops she's at the top not down here where I wanted her. Well, the picture with me in it, was taken at the airport on the 29th of September in the baggage claim area. She was greeted by 25-30 folks at the upper terminal, and it wasn't time for grandpa to make himself known to her, so I waited till there were just 7 of us. She came readily into my arms and I couldn't help but give her a hug, and encourage her with a panda that came from China, naturally.

Well, its time for the 10:00 news, so want to sign off, but can't help but be thankful for locating a couple of my cousins, Janet and Roland whom I haven't seen since September of 1950. She said she wrote to me when I was in the Army, and I do recall some letters from her. What a joy to locate them and talk to them again. I look forward to the day that we can all get together again as family and share our lives together. But for now, adios, or as they say in jolly England, Cherrio for the present.

Howard