Create a Care Package for the Troops

Good Wednesday morning!

The Gallery Pics are from the pool AND dinner last night. While sitting UNDER the pavilion for a few hours, I did some "recipe research." Thus, the photos are my rendition of Chicken Spaghetti from The Pioneer Woman Cooks cookbook AND the Blue Cheese Rolls from Julie Tuggle... who sat with me and visited under the pavilion. That girl is a wealth of information, I tell you!

RANDOMNESS - I found the smallest, cutest, roundest watermelon the other day. It was called a Bambino watermelon. I couldn't resist. "Are you just buying food now because the name is cute?" Roxie asked. Yes. Yes, I am.

TOPIC OF THE WEEK - NEIGHBORS

I hinted in yesterday's post today's story had something to do with Austin being 11 years-old... in a tree... with a chainsaw. Don't worry. I'm not going to change my mind. That story is STILL going to be told today!

Whenever I sent Austin or Josh outside to do something (work in the yard, wash the car, get the mail, sweep the front walk, etc.), it wouldn't take long to realize they had been gone a little TOO long for the task at hand. It would take me even less time to realize they had been recruited by Mr. Joe to help out a few minutes with a chore or two.

Mr. Joe was a teacher by nature, and while he might have asked them to do something they had never attempted before, he was patient and explained everything step-by-step. And since he was also a man, he let them try things I would never have imagined. But it was okay. Nervous, over-protective mothers rarely a "manly man" make! That's why it's good to have grandfathers, dads, uncles and good neighborhood men in the mix.

I really believe that, but on this particular day, I had to put my foot down... or in this case, I let Miss Mary put it down for me!

Austin was Missing in Action after having been sent to the van to fetch my sunglasses. I looked out the front door. Nope. No sign of Austin and Mr. Joe.

So I made my way to my back door. Nope. Still no sign... but, wait! Was that Mr. Joe on the other side of the tree in their backyard? Yes. Yes, it was. And why was he craning his neck back and looking up into the top of the tree? Could it be Austin was in the top of the tree? Yes. Yes, he was.

I stepped onto my porch where I could see (and hear) a little better.

"Hi, Mr. Joe," I called.

"Hi, Belinda. Don't worry. Austin's helping me with a few limbs."

"Yes, sir. I can see that." By this time, I could make out Austin's head and his big grin.

"Mr. Joe says I can use the chainsaw to get the limbs down," he yelled.

My heart stopped. Literally. Call 911. Stopped!

But then I saw "her." Little Miss Mary, hands on hips, feet planted, letting Mr. Joe know in no uncertain terms an 11 year-old boy was NOT going to be turned loose in the top of a tree with a chainsaw. And she MEANT IT!

Okay. My heart started again... slowly. Breathing still difficult though.

"Mary, the boy is more than capable of cutting down a couple of limbs with a little chainsaw. It's not even that heavy," Mr. Joe argued.

Heart beginning to stop again. Paramedics still haven't arrived. Probably waiting until 11 year-old boy actually drops running chainsaw on elderly neighbor's head.

"This isn't up for discussion, Joe. Austin, can you just use a little saw and cut the dead branches?" Miss Mary asked a very disappointed 11 year-old boy.

"I guess so, Miss Mary. It's going to take a lot longer though," he told her, still hoping for the power tool.

"That's okay. We're not in a hurry," she said. She turned around and went into the house and came back with a small, manageable, DULL little saw.

Heart pumping at a semi-regular beat. Breathing shallow, but getting better. Paramedics called and cancelled.

Austin made pretty quick work of the two or three branches that needed to come down. He was royally paid for his services. Miss Mary declared him a "good boy," glared at Mr. Joe and made her way back into her house.

I almost felt sorry for Mr. Joe and Austin. It was very difficult to tell which one was the most disappointed. Austin stayed a few minutes and talked with Mr. Joe, as he always did after a "spontaneous" chore.

It wasn't until Mr. Joe's funeral a few years ago I realized how much Mr. Joe had taught my kids. We were looking at all the pictures set out on tables at the funeral home. "Look how handsome and young Mr. Joe was in this picture. I didn't know he was in the military," I murmured.

And with that one little sentence, the boys and Roxie began telling me about Mr. Joe and where he had served and some of the stories he had shared with them "out in the yard." He had taught them a great deal, it seemed.

He was a living and breathing example of patriotism... a long, lasting marriage... not being a whiner even though he was in a great deal of pain with his gout during the time we knew him... laughing easily and often... and always, always teaching.

He was a lovely man... and we miss him.

Wednesday Wisdom - In honor of Betty White (the last surviving Golden Girl), I wanted to share some of the quotes from the show today. Blanche was played by Rue McClanahan (who passed away last week), Rose was played by Betty White and Dorothy was played by Bea Arthur. Classic!

Dorothy: Oh c'mon, Blanche. Age is just a state of mind.
Blanche: Tell that to my thighs.

Rose: My mother always used to say: "The older you get, the better you get, unless you're a banana."

Blanche: You know what the worst part about getting older is?
Dorothy: Your face? Rose's hands?

Rose: I just had a thought...
Dorothy, Blanche: Congratulations.

Miles Webber: I'm a college professor, Rose. What did you think when I said I taught Hemingway?
Rose: I thought you were old.

Rose: Can I ask a dumb question?
Dorothy: Better than anyone I know.

Rose: Now, I know no one wants to hear any of my stories right now...
Dorothy: That's always a safe bet, Rose.
Rose: But you need to hear about my cousin, Ingmar. He was different. He used to do bird imitations.
Blanche: Well, what's wrong with that?
Rose: Well, let's just say you wouldn't want to park your car under their oak tree. (By far, my favorite!)

Rose: You know what they say: You can lead a herring to water, but you have to walk really fast or he'll die.

Good stuff!

Create a Care Package for the Troops

Since the 4th of July is fast approaching, use this patriotic holiday to begin a new tradition. Many of us get together with family and friends some time during the day. If that is the case in your home, celebrate the 4th by making a care package for someone serving our country overseas.

Let our troops know we appreciate their sacrifice and hope they will all return home safely soon.

When you send out your 4th of July party invitations, include a note to inform guests about what you plan to do and include suggestions on what they can contribute. Make sure you cover the basics.

Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Floss
Mouthwash
Baby wipes
Deodorant
Travel size hygiene items
Body wash
Hand sanitizer
Foot powder
Lotions
Candy (heat resistant)
Fruit Breezes (throat drops)
Twizzlers
Writing paper
Envelopes
Pens
Coffee (instant)
Coffee creamer
Gatorade
Powdered drink mixes
KoolAid Bursts (to freeze)
Sugar packets
Beef jerky
Canned fruit (pop top cans)
Cereal (small boxes)
Girl Scout Cookies
Granola bars
Gum
Oatmeal (instant)
Pop-Tarts
Ramen Noodles (any flavor)
Ravioli (pop top cans)
Tuna kits
Board games
Checkers (travel size)
Chess (travel size)
Crossword puzzles
Playing cards
CD fanny packs
CDs
Tapes
DVDs (new and used)
Hand held electronic games
Sudoku books
Books (novels, short stories)
Newspapers (local)
Magazines
Nose spray
Eye drops
Hairbrushes
Nail clippers
Q-Tips
Razors (disposable)
Sunscreen
Tissues (heavy duty)
Tylenol (individual packets)
Plastic spoons
American flags (small)
Baggies (with zip lock)
Batteries (all sizes)
Bug spray (must be packaged in zip-lock bag)
Duct tape
Disposable cameras
Flashlights (mini-mag lite, extra bulbs, lots of batteries)
Fans (battery powered, small with extra batteries)
Fly strips
Fly swatters
Pre-paid phone cards
Shoe insole cushions
Socks (cushioned white calf high)

To donate items to ship, you can mail them to the following address:

Operation Shoebox
P.O. Box 1465
Belleview, Florida 34421-1465

For more information, you can also visit their website at www.operationshoebox.com.

Along with the supplies, ask each person to include a note of thanks for the soldiers. On the day of the party, set up a big table to display all of the donations and take a picture of it with everyone gathered around it. This is a wonderful way to let the troops know we're thinking about them!

It's never too late to start a NEW tradition, and this one is very worthy!

Have a wonderful Wednesday! Thursday is a day of dates and Neighbor Stories and Randomness. Thursday will be a good day! NOTE TO EVELYN - Please remember to e-mail the Strawberry Homemade Ice Cream recipe to me for next Tuesday's post. It sounds SO good!

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda