Barbie Era--Oh How She has Changed

Now that school has started, summer is almost over.  This year was a little more of a challenge since I had a little helper, my granddaughter during the day. She can be a great help but also that ugly word would come up called "bored". We did the usual things to occupy her time, a week at bible school, a week at kids summer activities through the local college for several sessions, day trips to some of the local landmarks (yes we have a couple), but sometimes just staying home was on my list.

Toward the end of the summer she came one day and mentioned that her mom had talked with her the night before about her mom's Barbie collection in the attic. So of course she had to see them. Papa graciously complied and brought down the box. I think we both were glad to have one more item out of the attic. My first concern was yes they had been packed up but also the attic gets pretty hot during the summer so wasn't sure what condition they might be in.

In our find, I also came across my own small Barbie Collection.

I didn't play with Barbie's at my granddaughter's age of 6 I was slightly older but what few I had were tucked away in the carry case that my grandpa had bought. As I slowly opened my box it was like opening a time machine. Vintage clothes that my mom and grandma had sewn, the velvet blue gown with sequins hand stitched, the flashy Ken slacks, the knee high plastic boots, brought me way back.

Some of the Barbie's were fused to the box because of heat but after a little tugging they came off, none the worse for wear.  It was special to be able to hand down my treasures along with my daughter's slightly more modern 90s models to my granddaughter. It was one day that went on and on with clothes, and accessories from one end of the floor to the other but was a wonderful summer experience. I am pretty sure they will be played with for many more years to come.

My skating Barbie collection will remain, in the boxes in the cabinet only for our eyes to see.

Educators--They Never Stop Teaching

As a rule we should never stop learning. No matter what age we do things and see things that strengthen our minds and souls in different ways.  When in school you sometimes get the impression that the only reason teachers are in your life is to torture you with tasks and to be unkind. I had teachers I remember from my childhood and my perspective at that time was some of them were mean and hateful; now I look back and there was a purpose for the techniques they themselves learn and used to teach, it was a sign of those times and the times before me that molded the way they taught and the perspectives of that time. I guess this is a sign of maturity and wisdom.

Many educators have made many impressions throughout my life. Many educators made impressions in my eyes when my children were in school.  It was not only a cultural shock moving to the Midwest from the West but some of the teachings at the time brought back those unkind times of my years in school.

When my son started middle school not only was it tough being an outsider trying to fit in but dealing with several different personalities of long term educators was a challenge for both of us.  One of his teachers cultivated his love of music. He saw something in him that directed him into singing and show choir throughout middle and high school.  Some of his other teachers during his time in middle and high school made it known that they thought enough time wasn't spent on the basics of which at the time he had more difficulty with than the arts and sports aspects. Many conferences with these teachers throughout the year pushed my frustration level with educators to my limits.

Over the last couple weeks I have run into almost all of his middle school teachers at events in and around town. They are all retired now, enjoying life but I am sure have those special "teaching" moments with former students and their children.

I see his music teacher all to frequently and he asks about him and always says "I can't believe he is married and has children of his own". Usually the next question is "do they enjoy music too?". Oh yes, I am sure he will have at least one little entertainer in his family.

I see another of his teachers at the grocery store almost each week. She had no children and her husband passed away a couple years ago. On a recent occasion I was doing a quick purchase and had my oldest granddaughter with me. It was a pretty packed store and lots of families with small children were in toe with parents. One young woman had two small children with her that were obviously not too happy to be out in the heat and shopping with Mom. One would start screaming, then the other started crying. You could hear it from one end of the store to another. We all hope and pray we don't have too many of those shopping trips, but we do. We picked up our items and were approaching check out, when the teacher stopped behind us. She never acknowledged me but kept looking at my granddaughter quietly standing next to the grocery basket. Don't get me wrong she is tall for her age and can sometimes be mature for her age and also can act younger than her age.  She assisted putting our purchases on the checkout and remained quiet throughout. As we finished and started bagging our groceries, the teacher stepped up along side of my granddaughter (mind you also this teacher is around her height, my granddaughter sometimes has been mistaken for at least two years older than she is). To my surprise, the next words that came out of the teacher's mouth, made me smile.

"I have been watching you in the store, you have been so nice for your mother". "You haven't created a scene like those two children have for their mother". My granddaughter didn't say a word just nodded her head to her. I am pretty sure that the teacher did not recognize me and I also didn't correct her in that I am her grandmother but I so wanted to make it known that I wasn't her mother but was a parent to one of her former students and bring to her attention how mean she had been during his time with her but, in my infinite wisdom I chose not too. Why?

Well even educators change throughout the years. They retire, they move on and maybe in her years of teaching young minds, not all of them came out like she wanted them too. Many she taught didn't succeed in life even after the lessons she taught them. Other students who she thought might never succeed, in fact did and rather well I might add.

Every human being gets life lessons, we teach, we learn and we grow along the way. We just took the compliment and walked out of the store with the screaming still in our ears.

The Joy of Going to a Library--Not Just to Read Books

One thing that I inherited from my grandmother and mother was the love for reading. That was one fascinating thing I learned after finding my biologic roots. That precious time with a book is a great connection to have. I have the pleasure of knowing two librarians. One is a young enough to be my daughter the other is around my age, but both I consider my friends. I have learned great things from each woman, both with differing knowledge.

When I was a kid I had go to authors I would read during the summer months, in between my time at the ice rink. You  could read between sessions, read in the car (some find that unmanageable but I don't have a problem). I read books dealing with skating history or how to books. Unfortunately, even today the only way you can learn skating is doing not by reading a book. Many former figure skaters have written books on a journey and struggles while skating or after but all in all you can learn so much by reading. My library card has been like my license, I have had it longer than my license but I use it all the time.

But having access to the library just isn't about reading books. For instance, our library has many different programs available I have learned just in the last year. They didn't always have them but social media and a little bit of hard work by the Outreach Program Librarian, Patty Long she is making it happen.

Patty Long, Sedalia Outreach Program Librarian

Trivia Day Prize 

I can see that the times have changed since going to the library as a kid. The still have the card catalogs, but now they are on computers. You can still find things in the archives in most libraries but most things are at your fingertips.

Patty had events: Walk and Read in the Park, Trivia Day, and a Recycled Book Project and has many wonderful ideas planned in the coming months. With a little help from others I can see our library being the go to place for more than just reading, again.

 A little bit of trivia, the Sedalia Public Library was the first library in Missouri that was awarded a $50,000 grant  from Andrew Carnegie to be built. It is on the Missouri Registry of History Places and went through a renovation a few years ago.

I actually like to pick the brains of both librarians in my life because they are so different. Each has a specialty type of book to read and although there are certain books they each of them dislike, sometimes it takes that open mind to maybe find a new path to forge. I know personally having either talked with each of them or since my young librarian is on Goodreads, I know what books she would like to read and what she has read and sometimes go off that list for my own suggestions. With Patty she has recommended some that I also wouldn't have thought of since I started going to the Book Club at the Library a few months ago. 

So while the weather is hot, or when the fall weather approaches, if you haven't visited your local library. Stop by they may have a program you can get involved in.  I still refer to my childhood library the Wilmington Public Library in the Los Angeles Public Library System or where I live now Sedalia Public Library in Sedalia MO. Both have Facebook pages and obviously the Los Angeles Public Library has many branches throughout the area. You don't have to be a reader but you never know you might find something that peaks your fancy.

The Town that Painted Rocks 2016

Isn't it funny how an idea can get started with a snap of a finger? We will do just about anything to get our kids and ourselves doing something constructive or artistic as this case seems to have turned into. Just last week the Pokemon Go became a weirdly strange activity for individuals and families to get involved in.   Actually, while getting some troubleshooting tips from the computer technician at Staples last week, our conversation included whether or not I was seeking Pokemon characters.  I told him I thought I was too old for that but when he was impressed with my knowledge of other social media sites, I felt much better. I guess it is not so strange to those who liked Pokemon cards way back when. But long before Pokemon Go,  someone in town had an idea called Sedalia Rocks. It already has its own Facebook page Sedalia Rocks-MO Official and has reached over 1,200 likes.

Already so popular that one of our newspaper reporters is considering a story about it. While most are listening to political banter, horrific news stories around the world and  all the papers and television is focused on very little positivity, it is refreshing to be able to do something artistic yet fun for everyone.

Haddie finding her first rock.

Found another!

Now this rocky activity has taken on a whole life of its own. Where to get the rocks. How to paint the rocks. What to paint on the rock, make sure you spray the rock with clear coat. (Yes, I have already started to paint one with a figure skate on it, although I will have to find a creative place to hide that fits with it.) I hopped on the rock painting wagon a little early on. Our first rock was a large orange one with a pink butterfly on it. Although we have never heard if it was actually found or re-hidden my story I like to put behind it is--just like a butterfly they come and go from out of know where.

 Some put more time than others into this and although their are official "rules" set aside, really I think the sky is the limit to this activity.  This has become a summer phenomenon in our little town, but I have heard it is also taking off in other towns around the country. A little bit of a scavenger hunt, with color and imagination all rolled into one little or large rocks, smooth or bumpy, you decide.  Also check out Pinterest for the artist in you and check out the varieties available.

Yes, several people snicker at you when they ask "have you jumped on the Sedalia Rocks bandwagon?" Well they may laugh but don't be surprised if you see them in the dark of night, or at noontime with a rock in hand ready to launch that clue on the official Sedalia Rocks MO Facebook page. Thanks to all those who are participating and making it a fun and easy addition to many in town.  I hope it continues on and on and on--one rock at a time.

If you Want it Done, Do it Yourself World we Live In?

Looking for the good in everyday life is and always has been a very big challenge; especially for me.  While I was growing up I probably didn't really realize what a great upbringing I really experienced. Does any child ever; really!. We had food on the table, (not every meal was a gourmet meal) clothes to wear (mom and grandma made just about every stitch of clothing I wore through elementary school, except for undergarments), and I figure skated on a weekly basis.  I was raised in a very regimented, environment to say the least.  No wasn't really an option in our house. You either did it or lived with the consequences. Being also an only child I had not a sibling to turn to for blame or advice.

Today and I admit I sometimes can be just as guilty as the next person when it comes to social media, although lately I stick to a pretty true list of what I do and don't reveal, because one hit of the enter/send button can truly make your life a living H double hockey stick.

With that regimented environment, parents and a time way back when where you learned how to do different things to survive or "it just was how it is" era many recent events lately just make we wonder as everyone is doing in so many instances "is this really what our world has become?"

At this time in my life, one group tells me let go and let someone else take the wheel on issues. On the other hand I try to give the wheel up and no one wants it.

Case in point. We have had in the works for some time putting up a privacy fence around part of our backyard. Growing up literally everyone had a living or privacy fence. One yard didn't go into the next, each person had his/her own yard. No one came into your yard without at first asking. Our yard had locks on both gates and really the only time they were unlocked or opened was when the utility person came to read our meters or when my Dad mowed the yard.

To even get to the point that we are at now, seemed to take an act of congress. Try and figure out based on the temperature when is the best time to put up the fence which of course leaves an approximate window of about six months time in Missouri if you place your bets between rain and heat and other acts of Mother Nature you may or may not be prepared for.  Call to make sure you don't dig where gas, water or power lines are: check. Remove a tree stump where the fence will be placed: check.  Figure what type of fence will last the longest and withstand the weather; vinyl:check.

 So the last thing on the list was find someone to install the fence. First, the choices of actual companies or trustworthy individuals who do this type of work seems to be few and far between in little rural areas and those you do call either don't have time or the inclination to even do the job.Please don't tell me to check Angie's List or any other list that really isn't available to smaller areas, thank you.   You call people to give estimates; they don't show up and don't call to give a reason. I think we have heard every story in the book. I have even asked for recommendations from people and those haven't went well either.

I still am holding out hope that we may still get someone who does things the old-fashioned way and wants to actually work for a living, returns calls as a courtesy to a possible returning customer and appreciates work being sent their way. I would really rather add other accomplishments to my list but am not feeling post hole digger or fence installer to my who cares in business resume.

Oh and by the way the picture I attached is of a golf course and not my back yard. To me that is the only piece of land with grass I don't think should have a true fence around it.

Hopefully, before the good weather season is over I can proudly say we have a private backyard to enjoy.

The Sanctity of Marriage

One thing people always associate June with is weddings. I know many, many people who have chosen the month of June. Usually the month is beautiful weather for outdoor weddings and its a time when school is usually out so everyone is free to travel around the country to attend a family or friends special day.

I have posted many times, I believe about marriage in general and my own.  My hubby and I will soon celebrate 32 years. To some our blueprint is unique in many ways. I have often said I compare ours to military wives, he is fighting on the road of life and not true combat and although I do not move around, he is gone at long periods of time.

I will start by saying, no marriage is 100 percent perfect! Those of you who are or have been married already probably knew that. If anyone tells you they have a totally perfect marriage, they are not only fooling you but themselves.

Marriage is hard. It is a lifetime commitment. It is a constant work in progress. It is 100/100 by each person. Everyone has their own model of a good marriage. We were both born at a time when families were usually two parent families. I can't speak for David but I really only remember having one friend who had parents who were divorced.

Both of us came from completely different family dynamics. I was biologically born to unwed parents. I was adopted at birth. My biological mother was married multiple times, my adoptive father was married multiple times. Although my adoptive parents were married 47 years they created some interesting situations during my lifetime.

Now David's parents on the other hand have been married almost 66 years and although I have only known them for the time I have been married to their son, I don't think I have ever really observed them other than a completely loving couple. They probably have had many instances where they didn't agree with each other but overall one could not live without the other.  As they have gotten older I have seen that the for better or worse has been tested to extremes.

Recently I came across a short video on Facebook on "How to Make A Relationship Last 25+ years". by David Wolfe. It hits on many true points that most marriages and relationships should or probably do follow. I connected with many of them, of course the "skating" couple caught my eye immediately with"always support each other no matter what". During my figure skating days David was won of my greatest supporters along with the kids when they were growing up. It was especially fun during our "team travel" days. He managed to capture several interesting videos that I wish I still had.

For those who are thinking about getting married, think long, hard and put all your efforts into the processes before you tie the knot. Marriage should never be taken lightly and or for granted at all. The one moment you start forgetting your to do list of marriage is when problems start creeping up. Mark my word it will happen at least once in the marriage.

My advice for those who are having a rough patch. Go through all available avenues to repair the patches. Exhaust them all before making the decision that the road you paved together is no longer the road you want to travel down together.

I hope those couples lately that I do know are able to find what they need to continue on. If not well you are the writer to the end or the beginning of that story yourselves.

Many Milestones of May

What would we do without milestone calendars?  No one can just have one calendar anymore. I certainly don't! From dry erase to daily planner to phone; one just isn't enough. Keeping track of myself plus everyone in line behind me and those in my circus tent. It definitely becomes challenging. Keeping track of major or minor milestones whether you are young or old makes for some interesting times especially at this time of year.

It hardly seems possible next month is 37 years since high school graduation. As I keep track on Facebook with many of those school friends, many of us have busy lives. Some married high school sweethearts, others had a second chance with a high school love, others have remained single and loving it. Still other's have passed on to heaven way to soon. But many are truly successful in every way.  Looking back I am sure none of us would look forward in time and think our lives would be what they are today. My hopes, dreams and milestones of those long ago years were not at all what my life turned out. Lots of surprises, twists and turns its been a ride to say the least.

Graduation Banning High School 1979 with friend Kim (Bury) Vinal

Whether it be graduating through years of school or just special milestones in life the milestones bring a flood of emotions and memories abound.

The journey through education has begun also for two of my grandchildren. Our oldest finished Kindergarten and our second oldest finished her first year of preschool. Both have come so far it is boggling to the mind. If I can see anything in my crystal ball I hope they both become successful, strong, opinionated (they are both on track with that last trait already) young women who follow whatever dreams they have in life.

Hadleigh 2016 Kindergarten Ms. LaCasse

Greenlee first and last day of Preschool 2016

 Summer for many was usually always a time of moving on too new places and adventures.

 A new friend recently retired from many years of teaching and molding young minds. Her excitement in turning over a new leaf in life has been refreshing. You never truly can expect what will happen as you put your hand on that door knob of life. Turning left or right you just forge on and hope good things are on the other side. I venture though that she will do just spectacular things.

We all have those moments in time where we may question our reasons. I have had many and will probably still continue to question some of the things and the outcomes that have occurred. Some of my milestone moments have been life changing, others well are yet to be determined I suspect.

Whatever May brings beside flowers, warmer weather and times of reflection only a few more days of May remain..Make them milestone moments.