Going Skull Crazy

I went school shopping with my granddaughter a few weeks ago.  Obviously not much time is spent in the Junior section any more.  It seemed skulls were chasing me around as she tried on some cute jeans. 

I snapped some pictures to see if any of them looked like someone I may have known before.  Funny thing, they all resembled the same person. Maybe a relative of the store owner.  From perfume bottles to polo's to memo pads.  What is with them?  I personally think a sun, smile or something else would be better. 

The Keys Were on the Counter

Locked myself out of the house a few weeks ago.  Yup, after stopping to get ready for work after being at the gym, which is usually a race against time, I locked and shut the front door.  It didnt take long to realize the car was locked and keys not in my hand. 

Checking all the spots we leave house keys proved fruitless.  I laughed just a week earlier about Audrey, my neice, doing the same thing.  We showed her where to find the keys, but there were none to be found this day. 

Then I spotted the upstairs bedroom window open.  I yelled to Audrey and Ken to help me, since they didn't respond to the doorbell.  Soon they came to my rescue. 

The keys were retrieved, house locked, car started, and a call into work that I would be late.  Miraculously, I was only four minutes late.  Yeah! to Audrey for being home with the window open and a fast commute. 

Sun Screen Sneaks on the Scene

Funny thing happened on the way to the beach, we all had sunscreen sprayed on us.  I hauled out my old fashioned, pink bottle of sunscreen to use and was the only one to slather the white cream on.  It sat on the table and snuck into Zach's picture. 

Then followed me out to the water where it got it's share of attention, smack dab in almost every photo.  Looks like a third playmate in the mud castle photo, doesn't it.  Noah appears to be talking right to the prominent pillar of pink or trying to bury it up to the neck in the sand.  Who knows, but it seems to have taken on a life of its own. 

Perturbed at the Pioneer Days Pageant

Who doesn't love a pageant with a big cast, props, music and special story.  We attended one on the Days of '47 that sounded interesting.  It was a bust, because...

We arrived at 7pm to buy tickets thinking it started at 7:30.  The program booklet said it started @8:30 instead.

 After walking around the food booths, events and such we took our seats.  The MC Nathan Osmond was introduced on time.  He spent 30-45 minutes honoring some people in the community, flag ceremony and singer, talking about the charity we were helping, introducing it, the founder, benefactors, etc.  Sky divers were in the mix.


 

 We watched the founder propose to his future wife.  They rode around in a Cinderella carriage so  we could ooo and ahhh.  Next there were some dancers and more singing by the MC, who invited members of the audience to sing songs to win 'his' CD.  There was more, but by then I was seeing red and not paying attention.

At 9:45 there was a 15 minute intermission.  Say what?  I am still waiting for the 'pageant'.  Remember, that is why we are here.  How about the MC take a break and we get this show on the road.  Young families and fifty plus age groups were the bulk of the audience.  The pageant began at 9:59 pm.  I was so mad from waiting so long, the play was a disappointment (no photos).  Not enough substance and too many cast members.  Parents were carrying their sleeping children out.   The rising of the full moon over the mountains in the distance was more exciting. 

Fireworks began going off during the program in odd spots.  It finally all culminated at 11pm.  We nearly fell off our seats in exhaustion.  We won't recommend it even if the MC said that 100% of our ticket price went to the foundation.  Thanks!

Raisins to the Rescue

Raisins multiply like rabbits.  Whenever I add them to a recipe it seems they quadruple and overtake the dish.  But a few weeks ago they actually came to my rescue in an entirely different way.

 We were at an ear splitting, loud concert which made our ears begin to ring.   Looking across the aisle, a few people had ear plugs.  I almost asked them, if they were for sale. 

 

What did I have with me that was soft and would work as an ear plug?  I had a water bottle, trail mix, candy bar, program, binoculars and padded seat cushion. The raisins in the trail mix was the only soft and pliable item and that would remotely work.  I grabbed some and tried a few in each ear.   It worked beautifully.  I

 

That's right I stuffed raisins from my trail mix in my ears to mute the blaring sounds and enjoyed the rest of the show.   Since it was dark, no one could see and my hair covered my ears.  They fell out a few times so I just stuck them back in.  I wouldn't normally recommend raisins as earplugs, but in a pinch, definitely less work than holding fingers in your ears or wading up balls of paper. 

 

Yes, crazy, but my hearing is still in tact as raisins came to my rescue. 

By the By Way

These quaint yellow, classy wooden chairs were calling to me, as I dropped off a meal delivering Meals on Wheels to a customer last week.  I am the coordinator of Volunteer Route 15. 

They looked so empty on the lawn under a shade tree on the by way.  It was hot, at least 100' or more.  Try it sometime, taking a break that is.  You will like it and so will your feet. 

Parades are a Present to the Public

 

I love parades.  My mom taught me from an early age to attend and enjoy them.  Back then it was all about the candy as it is for all children.   Bands bring music and rhythm as well as participation from the teen crowd.   What a sacrifice of talent sharing and heat beating these kids go through.

I've been in many parades riding on floats, boats and attending the queen as a runner up for Bluffdale City.  Our float wasn't this beautiful.  We had to sit back then.  I remember my leg going to sleep after miles of slow going.  I couldn't walk when it was over.  The floats have come a long way since the seventies. 

 
Old, new and restored cars/trucks are gems to behold as the line passes by.  We cant forget the fire trucks, police, politicians and pop & mom businesses, too, not to mention the interesting outfits that people 'not in the parade', parade in up and down the sidewalk.  

My Mom was a dedicated waver to the folks on the route while sitting in her shady spot sipping something.  Thanks Mom for the pleasant present of parades.