Cinderella's New Tattoo and Butterfly's Girly Bedroom

Cinderella got a new tattoo in honor of Lolly Pop Kid. The movie ‘Cars’ was everything to him so of course she got the Lighting McQueen car. Here is a pic of it. The artist drew it freehand and did a nice job. She already has Butterfly’s name tattooed on her back and it is only fitting Lolly is there too. I thought about getting one. I really have no idea what to get. I thought about his initial. Hmm maybe a lollypop with his initial intertwined. I am going to have to think about that one.

I also spoke with Butterfly yesterday and she was kind enough to send me a picture of her room. She told me she rearranged it all by herself and for the most part decorated it too. I love it. It is sooo pink. What little girl would not love this room? I especially love the pink butterfly curtains. Very appropriate if I don’t say so myself!

Also, notice the movie on the TV. Yes, it just happens to be ‘Cars’ and of course there is Lighting McQueen with his big, toothy smile. Just like our Lolly. We know he is still with us and many ways.

BTW, his tree has a brand new orange bloom. I look forward to watching the oranges grow.

Love you big boy. Thanks for sending the love from heaven.

Sunday Brunch

Yesterday, family and friends came together and we planted Lolly's tree. The week before, I prayed for cooler weather and that prayer was answered. I was a little worried a major storm might interrupted the planting but that did not happen. The tree was a little bigger than I expected. I have a VW bug. The tree is about 5 feet tall and it actually fit in my car. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. LCpl Honda dug the hole in the yard. Everyone arrived and we feasted on sub sandwiches and potato salad. Grandma M brought a carrot cake. Lolly loved baby carrots. Everyone took turns shoveling dirt into the hole. Then Butterfly and my friend's daughter, Big Brown Eyes helped Lolly's dad Tango make a well around the tree. Finally, we made a circle around Lolly's tree and said a prayer and asked God to bless the tree.

It was a wonderful day.

After the planting, I gave everyone a picture of Lolly's name in the sand.

I am posting our group picture, although we took many pictures that day. The rest I have chosen to keep private. I am also posting a picture of my dad, Grandpa DingDon, one of Lolly's namesakes. No recipe today. Yesterday was simple, kind of like a picnic. Everyone knows how to make a picnic. Yes?

We love you sweet boy. Donovan. Our Lolly Pop Kid.

I had to add this drawing, done by Butterfly, Lolly's sissy.

ps. The drawing was lying on my kitchen table today and my cat decided to walk on it. The blue background was done with pastel chalk. I just spent a whole bunch of time in my bathroom trying to wash the blue color off of my cat's feet. Fun.

Yea, I think that is all I have to say about that...

Baptism

On Sunday, August 2nd I baptized my daughter Cinderella and granddaughter Butterfly. I was most honored and did so in memory of  my grandson, Lolly Pop Kid.

We are the thirteenth group in the video. It was a wonderful day. You have to wait a few seconds. But it is worth it.

Today we sent our hearts to Heaven.

Two years ago today Lolly Pop Kid was born.  Today we celebrated his birthday without him.

Two years ago today our lives were a little fuller.   Today they are a lot emptier.

Two years ago today I became a grandma for the second time.  Today I feel stripped of that honor.

Two years ago today four people became a family.  Today that family is forever changed.

Two years ago today I touched vibrant red hair.  Twelve days ago I touched it for the last time.

One year ago today I watched Lolly eat a Lolly Pop. Today I watched Lolly's balloons go to heaven.

One year ago today I watched Lolly open gifts. Today we watched Lolly receive gifts in the sky.

Twenty years ago I watched two children play. Today I watched two adults, one consoling, one grieving.

Twenty years ago I sat with a friend and watched those children. Today I sat with a friend and watched those children.

For two years I watched two people love their son.  Today I watched two people love their son.

Two years ago today we celebrated a life.  Today we celebrated a life.

Today we sent our hearts to heaven.

We Have an Angel

I am writing this post to tell all that I probably won't be blogging for awhile.

On Tuesday my grandson, Lolly Pop Kid went to heaven. It was very sudden and unexpected. Our hearts are broken. We miss him so much. If you wish please say a prayer for his mommie, Cinderalla, his daddy, Tango and his sister Butterfly.

And that's all I have to say about that...

Rest in Peace our sweet Angel

Just a Fun Ole Friday

Well, today I don't have anything very profound to speak about, just some announcements and comments concerning my life.

First of all: Ta Da

I just ordered a new computer! Yes, I decided to take the plunge because:

#1 My computer is about 5 years old which makes it ancient in computer land.

#2 I am pretty sure my current computer has a few creepy crawlers because it does not always cooperate.

#3 New computer comes equipped with a wireless router so I can take that sucker in my bathroom/walk-in closet/"3rd" bedroom (those of you that have seen it know what I mean) if I so desire.

It should arrive either Monday or Tues. Here is a picture of my new favorite piece of electronics.

Ohh yes baby, it's red.

In other news, I have an update on the arrival date of Hippie Guy and Flower Child's twins. Looks like the second week of August if they don't decide to make an appearance earlier. All is well with mother and children and Hippie Guy no longer has a deer in the headlight look. So we are looking forward to the birth and the baby shower next weekend with family and friends.

Other great news is Sgt. Red should be arriving from the Sandbox in the next couple of weeks. This has been a long year deployment and his family especially Crafty will be glad to have him home. His detachment was successful in the training of Iraqi Army soldiers. Apparently the IA no longer have trouble handling their own weapons as they have quit shooting themselves in the foot so to speak. Congratulation Sgt Red and the rest of your team!

LCpl Honda had been out floating with the Navy for about a week now in preparation for his upcoming deployment. Haven't heard anything but I expected that.

So I saved the best news for last. Cinderella called the other night to tell me that she will be a college graduate on Oct 23, 2009!!! Way to go Cinderella. We are all so proud of you!!!! Look forward to seeing you in your cap and gown! (and beware, because I am sure you remember what you did to me at my graduation)  ;) She also told me that she bought Miley Cyrus tickets for Butterfly and will surprise her with those in Sept. So everyone SSHHHH!!! It's a secret!

I think that is about it except Happy Father's Day to all. Be seeing you on Sunday Dad!

I am going to leave with a joke that was sent to me by my SIL, Ocean Girl (yea sweetie, you got a bloggie name now!) It is about Forrest Gump and considering the name of this blog I just had to post it here. Enjoy All!

FORREST GUMP GOES TO HEAVEN.The day finally arrived.
Forrest Gump dies and goes to Heaven.

 

He is at the Pearly Gates, met by St. Peter himself.
However, the gates are closed,
and Forrest approaches the gatekeeper.

St. Peter said, 'Well, Forrest,
it is certainly good to see you.
We have heard a lot about you.
I must tell you, though,
that the place is filling up fast,
and we have been administering
an entrance examination for everyone.
The test is short, but you have to
pass it before you can get into Heaven.'

Forrest responds, 'It sure is
good to be here, St. Peter, sir.
But nobody ever told me about any entrance exam.
I sure hope that the test ain't too hard.
Life was a big enough test as it was.'

St. Peter continued, 'Yes, I
know, Forrest,
but the test is only three questions.
First:
What two days of the week begin with the letter T?
Second:
How many seconds are there in a year?
Third:
What is God's first name?'

Forrest leaves to think the questions over.
He returns the next day and sees St. Peter,
who waves him up, and says,
'Now that you have had a chance
to think the questions over,
tell me your answers'

Forrest replied, 'Well, the
first one --
which two days in the week begins with the letter 'T'?
Shucks, that one is easy.
That would be Today and Tomorrow.'

The Saint's eyes opened wide and
he exclaimed, 'Forrest,
that is not what I was thinking,
but you do have a point,
and I guess I did not specify,
so I will give you credit for that answer.
How about the next one?' asked St... Peter.

'How many seconds in a year?
Now that one is harder,' replied Forrest,
but I thunk and thunk about that,
and I guess the only answer can be twelve.'

Astounded, St. Peter said, 'Twelve?
Twelve? Forrest,
how in Heaven's name could you come
up with twelve seconds in a year?'

Forrest replied, 'Shucks, there's
got to be twelve:
January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd... '

'Hold it,' interrupts St. Peter.
'I see where you are going with this, and I see your point,
though that was not quite what I had in mind....
but I will have to give
you credit for that one, too.
Let us go on with the third and final question.
Can you tell me God's first name'?

'Sure,' Forrest replied,
'it's Andy.'

'Andy?' exclaimed an exasperated
and frustrated St Peter.

'Ok, I can understand how you
came up with your answers to my first two questions,
but just how in the world
did you come up with the name Andy
as the first name of God?'

'Shucks, that was the easiest
one of all,' Forrest replied. '
I learnt it from the song,
'ANDY WALKS WITH ME,
ANDY TALKS WITH ME,
ANDY TELLS ME I AM HIS OWN.'

St. Peter opened the Pearly Gates,
and said:
'RUN Forrest, RUN.'

Give me a sense of humor, Lord.
Give me the ability to understand a clean joke,
To get some humor out of life,
And to pass it on to other folks.

Happy Birthday Butterfly

Eight years ago, tomorrow you came into our lives. I never could have imagined how a child that I did not bear myself could be so special and loved. But you are. I remember I did not meet you until you were about a month old because you were born an army brat on a post far away from your Grandpa and I. When we finally did meet, you were lying on a bed. Grandpa and I walked up and stood over just taking you in. Grandpa and I both looked at each other at the same time with huge smiles and teary eyes. We then looked back down at you I remember your mommie saying, "You can pick her up!"

 I guess the moment was a little overwhelming and I remember thinking we were standing there for a long time. It was as if the moment froze in time. It is burned into my memory. On that day, in that moment my heart took a picture. It was not the first time and it will not be the last. The many heart pictures that make up the mural of your life now surround that picture.

 Have the happiest of birthdays sweet Butterfly. I look forward to continuing to watch you flutter your wings.

A Mouse in the House

I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day Weekend and took time to honor our fallen.

 LCpl Honda made it home for the holiday and our granddaughter Butterfly was able to spend the weekend with us too. We had a fun weekend, which included swimming and movie viewing. Just let me say that if you are any kind of a Star Trek fan go see this movie. Most people my age probably will remember the original series on TV. For Corvette and I it was like a walk in the past except with different actors playing the original characters. Capt Kirk is just a hunky. Mr. Spock was dead-on. Bones just as cantankerous as always. Lt Uhura, Mr. Scott, Mr. Sulu and Mr. Chekov, all played perfectly. I will not spoil the movie for anyone but it reveals the answers to many questions and of course makes you think. Loved it.

 Well you would think that all this would be enough excitement for one weekend. But NO!! We came home from the store on Sunday and LCpl Honda informed us that we have another guest. Sort of. Somehow, a mouse got in my house and took up residence in my stove. Nice.

 So, back to the store goes Corvette to pick up some traps and after repeatedly reassuring Butterfly that no, the mouse will not get you and do not worry we will catch it by tonight and it will be over with we set out on the mission to rid the stove of the little squatter. Or so we thought...

 So first off, Corvette set the traps with peanut butter and sets them on the floor next the stove. Bad move already. I am getting dinner ready and I am not too happy about the traps near my toes but I figure I will keep my eyes open. There is only one thing we did not think about. You see we have a Chihuahua, Buddy. Note: small dog with large appetite. Likes to stand in kitchen while I cook in hopes of catching a falling crumb. Are you getting the picture? All of a sudden, we hear one of the traps spring and at first, we are overjoyed at catching the little uninvited guest. Yea. no. I look down and see my dog exiting the kitchen and a rather fast pace with a not-so-happy look on his face. More like an almost barring teeth look. I am just glad his nose was not caught in the trap or we would have added trip to the vet to our weekend activities. Needless to say the traps then were moved.

 Ok, as I said I was in the middle of cooking dinner and I turned on the stove to preheat the oven. I walk outside for a few minutes and when I come back and walk to the stove Yikkkkes! It is the mouse on its way back into the stove. Ok so after some simultaneous screaming on me and Butterfly's part things return to normal and we get on with the day and our resolve to catch the damn thing.

 Fast foreword to later that night. Corvette goes in the kitchen what does he see? Empty mousetraps licked clean. Stupid mouse. Ok so we go to bed with assurance that we will have that pesky creature in the morning. Right? Wrong. We get up and once again, empty mousetraps licked clean. Smart mouse. Same story the rest of the day. Same story this morning. Damn ingenious mouse.

 So I guess the next step is decon. Did not really want to go there but SuperMouse has left us no choice. Because we will prevail. I hope.

 By the way, we do have a cat. She apparently was off duty this weekend.

hmmm...

2020 Olympics - Maybe Not But...

Well we went to see Butterfly perform in her gymnastic event. Overall I was impressed by all these kids running, jumping, tumbling and just having a good time. Some were better than others but what stood out was each and every one of them were having a great time! The coaches made sure each child was a star and I do believe the kids for few moments felt they were.

Yes, there were some stage parents around ie: one woman pulling down her daughter's skirt while the kid was warming up in favor of the kid wearing shorts instead. huh? The same parent telling her other kids to:
Mom: be back in 10 minutes (they wanted to play in the jumping castle outside)
Kid: how will we know when 10 minutes are up?
Mom: just figure it out!
Kids: looking perplexed...
Mom: I'll send your uncle out to get you

I think I will just leave this one alone, but I will say I think Mom maybe could have benefited from some gymnastic exercises too.

It was hard to get close but I did get a few good pics.



This is Butterfly before starting on the bar.



This is Butterfly on the bar.



This is Butterfly receiving her trophy and t-shirt on the podium



This is Butterfly with her trophy. You go girl!!!!!



Of course we can't forget Lollypop Kid. He is enjoying his cheez-its after attending the event. I think he gave is Dad, Tango the best workout of all! He even helped me take a few pics.

Just let me say that I am pleased to see my Butterfly spread her wings. Her road has been tough and we are fortunate to have her here. I will elaborate sometime soon.

Friday Food - Onion Blossoms?

Ok, so my friend L at work was talking to me about going out to eat at Texas Roadhouse the other day. Of course my interest peaked because I thought another copycat recipe! She said they ordered Onion Blossoms. I thought what the heck is that? So of course I have the trusty Google ready and waiting. I came across a couple of recipes and since my curiosity got the better of me I had to try one. One is fried and one is baked. For the sake of healthy eating I tried the baked one. Now it was ok except I only had a red onion and a yellow onion. So I figured what the heck. The purple one sort of turned out like the pic above and the yellow one just sort of sat there refusing to open and they also weren't exactly as breaded as much as I would have liked. I can say both were flavorful, but a little hot to the taste. Corvette liked them but went looking for the Zantac right away. hmm...

The baked one is here. The fried one is here. I am not sure if I should even try the fried one. If anyone has tried it please let me know. I wanted to serve one as an appetizer at ThanksChristmas but I don't want a houseful of heartburn casualties.

Anyway, I am off to see Butterfly perform in her first gymnastic expedition. Can you say Nastia Liukin or Shawn Johnson? Summer Games 2020? You never know... I will post on that later.

Also, I know I missed last Friday but I figured everyone probably had enough leftovers and did not even need a new recipe.