This Reminds Me

Archive for June, 2010

My Fellow Americans:

I played hooky today to take the girls to the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum in Austin.  There’s a Walter Chronkite exhibit in addition to the permanent Presidential/Texana displays.  Awesome!

Not a bad drive – less than two hours.  And blessedly overcast as Texas awaits the arrival of Hurricane Alex.

Great Minds

I explained to Hannah:  I was in second grade when JFK was assassinated.    A neighbor – Bobby Dyer – shared the news as I rode my bike home.  I called him a dirty liar and beat him up.    A few years ago, I entered the Kwik Copy he managed with his wife.  He recognized me and quickly hunched and raised both fists.

We talked a lot of WWII history on the way home, including PT109, LBJ and his fellow Congressmen called home after a few months of military service, the role of the GI Bill in post-war America, etc.

A wall of campaign buttons.  I have dozens (hundreds?), the oldest of which is a 1900 McKinley/Roosevelt.  At the 1984 RNC in Dallas, I had an opportunity to buy a Lincoln  Daguerreotype for $125 – and I didn’t.  I wish I had.  Those were the days when I had time and money.

The Civil Rights displays totally mystified and captivated Julia, whose best friends (and our next door neighbors) are black.

Tricky Rachel, who says she’s not a crook – though not all my change comes home from the grocery store

Animatron Lyndon cracking jokes freaked the herd of daycare kids.

Lois liked the memorabilia in the Cronkite exhibit, including NASA models of space craft.  My dad worked at NASA and we had two of those models.  I have no idea where they are now.  (sigh)

Lots of Cronkite’s notepads, teletype sheets, spirals, etc. on display.  Julia said, “Mom, his handwriting looks like yours,” to which Rachel responded, “No, you can read it.”

A little post-museum break for Hannah.  Julia was confused by the fountain geyser, thinking it was somehow related to the coming hurricane. Lois somberly confirming with a “Yes, Julia, it is – and we’ll probably have a tornado, too” didn’t help.

Many out-of-state plates in the parking lot, including those belonging to Twilight fans.

Ever heard of Flip Happy Crepes?  It’s about two miles from the museum.  Keith watched a “Throwdown with Bobby Flay” episode featuring the Flip Happy trailer, crew and delicious crepes!   We messaged poor Keith several photos while he slaved away at work, munching the lunch I packed before we left.

Flip Happy’s owner – Tessa – featured on the Bobby Flay program graciously stepped out for a photo.  Nice lady.  And tasty, tasty eats! Necessary to build our strength before an afternoon stop at the Tanger Outlets on the drive home. Everything at the Old Navy Outlet – 40% off today.  We did damage.

A great museum, fantastic exhibits, wonderful lunch and jaunt through the outlet mall – well, my fellow Americans - “That’s the way it was.”

Once a year, Keith and I both take a vacation day to accompany the girls to Fiesta Texas.  It’s so hard to get everyone’s schedules coordinated – once the date is set, it’s inviolate.  And boy do we plan it out.  Drink mugs, coupons, sunscreen, eyeglass straps – you name it, we’ve probably got it.  I’ve long thought my best chance of Monty Hall rewarding me on “Let’s Make a Deal” for some obscure item found in my bag would happen during a Fiesta Texas jaunt.

Yes, we do get one of these pictures made.  Because we’re just cool like that.

One of my favorite Fiesta Texas tips. Save differently-colored plastic mug straws from year to year.  Then each person can use a uniquely-colored straw and there’s little danger of foreign backwash ingestion.

Pop Guns for Pop Divas

View from the Ferris Wheel, which Hannah and I love.  Lois – not so much.  She doesn’t trust us not to sway so she won’t ride.  Not trusting her loving family?  If I had feelings, they’d be hurt.

Scooby’s Haunted Mansion shoot’em’up.  Family rivalry is intense with many bets made (but not paid.)

The closest our girls will ever come to owning a dog.  At least as long as they live here.  Mom is mean.

Normally, we do the Lazy River last.  But it was sooooo hot – we jumped in as soon as we hit the water park.  One thing I really like about Fiesta Texas – they don’t charge extra for the water park.  Locker rentals are pricey.  We always hand ours off to another family when we leave.

Once I get in that tube, I’m not budging – even when a 54-lb. fish jumps on me.

This is the first time I’ve seen both of Lois’ eyes in months. I wasn’t sure that right one was still there.

Finally, a short mat-racing film by Hannah.  Look for it at Cannes.

Don’t forget to get your hand stamped on your way out!  And where did we park the swagger wagon?!

Forgive me, (it’s) Father(‘s Day), for I have sinned.  It’s been two weeks since my last blog.

The Woodworth summer has – to date – been a learning experience.

Keith is learning more about WordPress and has added “Recipes” and Library”  tabs to the top nav of This Reminds Me.  Very cool!  But the weather is not.  I am learning that by the time I drag off the bus in the evening, the heat has sucked the life right out of me and anything above “maintain” is an effort.  Watch for more content on those tabs soon.  Or at least as soon as I stop sweating.

Hannah continues to learn cake decorating, but kept it simple today for her daddy – a chocolate cake w/cow sprinkles and a side message of “From #3.”

When Keith stumbles over one of the girls’ names while hollering instruction, he often resorts to numbers.  Hannah is #3.  I do what my mom always did – just start hollering in order and stop when I hit the right one.  Julia is often designated the exotic-sounding RachLoHanJu.

Lois continues to learn/study Latin for the national competition in Fargo next month.  Yes, Latin.  Yes, Fargo, North Dakota.

Keith and I want her to watch the movie so she’ll know what to expect in Fargo, eh?

Lois is also learning to drive – taught by her (sainted) father.  He also taught Rachel, but says Hannah is learning at a school.  And Julia the Daredevil?  No driving until she’s at least 30.

We all had a good time learning about “Joseph in Egypt”  at Vacation Bible School (VBS) last week.

The Egyptians formerly known as Lois and Rachel worked 3rd & 4th grade VBS….

…which, coincidentally, their favorite princess was attending.

Hannah learned she liked working with Younger 4′s – the same age she was when we joined the church. Her teacher then – Ms. Sandra (kneeling) – also worked the Younger 4′s in VBS.  We shared hearty chuckles over preschooler Hannah licking the hand rail of the staircase, etc.

Rachel is learning Economics in an online summer school class.  Yesterday, she learned a real economic lesson, as evidenced by our nearly-simultaneous Facebook posts.

The lesson:  It is expensive to be completing a legal U-turn when a speeder behind you is swerving into oncoming traffic.

Our Sunday School classes always take prayer requests.  After church today, Rachel asked Julia, “Did you pray for me today and thank God I wasn’t hurt in the accident?”  Julia looked at her and said, “No.  You’re not even dead.”

Lesson learned:  Don’t ask unless you want to know.

I learned 19 years ago that I was married to best father ever.

Happy Father’s Day, Keith.  Let’s hope we survive the next decade or two of lessons.  xoxoxo

One of my favorite things about living in San Antonio is our neighborhood pool.  We’re there almost every weekend, plus a weeknight or two.   It’s the largest in the area (other than at the country club, to which we don’t belong – imagine that.)

The water is cool , the neighbors are warm and Julia’s diving is hot.

Here’s what I’ve learned at our neighborhood pool:

10. You can learn to dance by going barefoot on the walk to the car.

9.  If you want a dry book, read at the library.

8.  A Sonic Route 44 Diet Cherry Limeade tastes best with a dash of chlorine.

7.  C-sections really did used to be vertical, didn’t they?

6.  Nothing says “roll down the windows” like a forgotten, wet, lotion-greased towel baked in the car overnight.

5.   A splashed pizza box and napkins dumped in the trash can is my favorite way to do Friday night dishes.

4.  When the middle school boys arrive – it’s time to go.

3.  “Woe to she who adjusteth my goggles strap.”  1st Rebecca 6:5

2.  I wish everything in my life could smell like Dreamsicle-y  Ocean Potion 30.

And the #1 thing I’ve learned:

1.  The extra-warm baby pool is to be avoided.