And the Answer is.... Elephant?

Home Goods is a parade for the senses.

Grandpa found JUST the THING for the kids!

An Elephant.

Uh-huh.

 

Grandpa Explaining in detail why the kids needed THIS elephant.

"Are you kidding me?"
(Response to me saying, "I don't think so.")

After I told him I would buy it for him to
take to Morningside.
"My Mother would hate it.", then he laughed.

A Little Something for Bob (and Jim)

Monday Grandpa and I made our first trip to

Bass Pro Shop.

Wow.

 

 

"That's it!"

What?

"That!"

Whaaaat?

Oh, dear heavens.

"Bob will like that...

and Jim!"



Yes, it's exactly what you thought.

Lure mailboxes.

Can't choose one....

Writing 101

Grandpa and I were sitting on the couch

watching Tony Bennett.

 

UPS knocked so I put down my work

to take the package.

 

I sat back down and didn't notice my

pen missing.

 

I'll give you one hint who found the pen ....

Grandpa hid the pen and tried to stuff

the mat underneath him.

 

Now if it said,

"Help! I'm being held hostage!"

that would have been funny.



Book Fair Help

We went to the ACS Book Fair yesterday.

Grandpa volunteered to help.

We MAY have found a few books...maybe...

 

Grandpa loved being around all the activity

AND

kids.  Always the kids.

 

Thanks Shannan for another fun fair!

Encore! Encore!

 

You're Welcome.

Shoobie-Doobie-Do

Dean Martin Variety Show was a not so serious hit!

Grandpa-isms of the Week

We had Grandpa all week and he was full of little gems for us.

Scene:  G'pa sitting on couch.  Jim and I on either side getting ready to help him stand up.

Sherri:  You ready to head to bed?
G'pa:  Wait.
Sherri: Take all the time in the world.
G'pa (smiling and raising his hands): I'm [the] king of the world!
Jim and I laughing: Yes. Yes, you are.

Just Need the Walker at the Titanic Railing!

Scene:  Waiting in the car for Tylor to get out of school.

G'pa:  Why are we here?
Sherri:  We're waiting for Tylor to get out of school.
G'pa:  Why is he here?
Sherri:  He needs an education so he can go to college.
G'pa:  He should play soccer.
Sherri:  But he needs to go to college so when he can't play soccer anymore he has a job.
G'pa:  Jobs suck.

So True!

Scene:  Sitting on the couch with me.  Steve is watching baseball and I am balancing checkbook.

Sherri:  Ugh.  That's done.
G'pa:  What?
Sherri:  I balanced our checkbook.  Never looks as good as I hope.
G'pa:  Why?
Sherri:  Kids are expensive.
G'pa:  I bought cars for [muttered word] mine.
Sherri:  Well, that's not in the budget.
G'pa:  [I] got this.

NICE!

Scene:  Steve getting haircut from pretty Asian woman.

Sherri:  So, Grandpa, how's the haircut look?
G'pa:  Good.
Sherri:  Can you say thank you to the stylist?
G'pa (smiling):  Can I stay?
Sherri:  What?  Why do you want to stay?
G'pa (smiling bigger): She's nice. [I] look good, too.

Uh-huh.  We're still leaving Old Man.

LIVE! (from the backseat)

Steve and I took Lauren to guitar.

On the way home she regaled us with her latest tunes.

 

That's as close to a smile as I was getting.

This one said, "She's good!"

Yes, she is.



Costume?

We were at Target picking up a fake

pumpkin for a project.

Steve:  Hand me that.

Me:  What?  The pumpkin?

Steve: Yeh and that. (pointing)

Me:  That? (handing him the hat)

Steve:  How's this?

Me:  Absolutely fabulous!

Ask And Ye Shall Receive!

Jim call us while we were in the car yesterday. 
Jim suggested lunch but I said I was too busy.
We said our goodbyes and hung up.
Grandpa asked where Jim went.
What?
Why can't [we] do lunch with Jim?
Uh...
Called Jim back.
A voila!  Lunch with Jim.

A little Mexican food.

And another bite....

Get Me A Panda

Me: Um, what?

Steve: I want Panda.

Me: What? Wait. You want food?

Steve: Yes. (Note the eye roll here)

Me: Oh, Panda Express! (turning around)

 Steve: Uh, yes. Now.

 

Sometimes I'm the slow one.

 



You And Me Buddy!

Steve and were leaving Safeway yesterday

when a 5 or 6 year old in a

brand new wheelchair

came towards us.

 

Boy:  Mom! Mom!  He's in one too!

Mom: (Smiling at me) Yes, he is.

Steve:  (waving) You and me buddy!

 



Driving? Crazy.

About five years ago my father-in-law had to stop driving.  Let me tell you the story.

For about a year before Steve stopped driving he was being 'more careful'.  He would drive slower.  He took his time at stop signs and stop lights to make sure he should accelerate and other 'safe' things.

Steve's wife, TBFH, was leaving on a trip and he took her to the airport one morning, right during rush hour.  That went fine, slow but fine.  He was then going to go to the Toyota dealership to service his car.  It is about 8 miles in between the airport and that dealership. 

Well, he got lost. Really lost.

Steve was driving on Highway 17 South bound at 20 mph.  A good Samaritan waved him over to the side of the road and asked if she could help him.  He told her where he needed to go and then he followed her there at a reduced but safe speed.  She left him at the dealership and told the service advisor what had happened.

It was about 10 a.m. and I got a call from the service advisor relaying to me all that had happened.  He had told Steve that it would take at least a day for his car to be serviced and maybe someone could come pick him up.   I hurried down to the dealership and asked the service advisor to hold Steve's car there and we would figure out what to do.

We decided to hide his car for a few days.  I would drive over each morning and pick him up and pretend to check on the car and it wouldn't quite be ready.  We did finally take the car back to his house but we moved the keys so they were 'lost'.  He was not mad, we think he really knew he shouldn't drive. 

Steve eased into not driving fairly easily.  When Jim did talk to him about it he said it was better this way.  He would revert sometimes but not for long.

The issue concerning senior drivers needs to be addressed.  There are too many accidents involving seniors that have lost the ability mentally and/or physically make those all too important driving decisions.

Thank goodness for that good Samaritan that helped Steve.  She probably saved his life and just as important the lives of others.

Gardening? I Don't Think So.

I was out gardening this morning and

Grandpa joined me in the very pleasant shade.

 

I put the broom down near him and he

picked it up.

 

Me:  You going to start helping me instead of sitting around?

Steve:  No, but I have your broom.

Me:  Okay, I'll bite.  Why do you have my broom?

Steve:  (laughing) So you don't have to reach down to get to work.

Me:  You are hilarious.

Steve:  I know.



Can I Pull This Off?

I don't know about this.

Can I pull off a Mohawk at my age? Hmmmm???

That's better!  I look great!

Always modest.  Always.... :-)

Practically Twins!

Okay, so you know how twins will:

1.  Run in opposite directions just when it is least convenient?
2.  Talk at the same time so you don't understand either of them?
3.  Conspire for maximum mayhem?
4.  Want completely different snacks?
5.  Be so completely adorable you can't help but smile?

Grandpa made a fast friend and cohort!

My 88 year old toddler with HIS friend, Little A a 2 year old toddler.



Ted Talk on Palliative Care

Living happens

To all of us.

 

Dying happens.
To all of us.

Yes, it can be sad and messy and powerful and
hard and normal and absurd and
everything in between.

Because dying is
part of life.

So many of us think of life and death as two separate things.

 

It doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, the two are connected.

 

What if the things we cherish most in life were the same

things we carry with us toward death? Those moments that make us feel awake.

  Loved. Human.

What if we could live our lives – fully – all the way to the end?

 

 

The Executive Director of Zen Hospice Project in San Francisco did a Ted Talk on Palliative Care.  I was moved by this man's personal story but more moved by his passion for living life, finding beauty and joy in those moments that you think there just can't possibly be any.  If you live or love you should watch this talk.  It can teach all of us the importance of compassion.

 

http://video.ted.com/talk/podcast/2015/None/BJMiller_2015-480p.mp4



At The Carwash ...

Laughing through the
whole wash cycle.



Steve loves this place

At the Carwash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AT THE CARWASH

Ooh ooh
You might not ever get rich
But let me tell ya it's better than diggin' a ditch
There ain't no tellin' who you might meet
A movie star or maybe even an Indian chief

At the car wash
Workin' at the car wash, yeah
Come on and sing it with me
(Car wash)
Sing it with the feelin' y'all
(Car wash, yeah)

Ooh!

Come summer the work gets kinda hot
This ain't no place to be if you planned on bein' a star
Let me tell you it's always cool
And the boss don't mind sometimes if you act a fool

At the car wash
Whoa whoa whoa whoa
Talkin' about the car wash, yeah
Come on, ya'all and sing it for me
(Car wash)
Wooh oooh oooh
(Car wash, yeah)

Well, those cars never seem to stop coming
(Work and work)
Keep those rags and machines humming
(Work and work)
My fingers to the bone
(Work)

Trip to Ikea. International Relations Still Intact!

When I thought about going to Ikea I thought

maybe Grandpa would like the variety

in each of the departments.  Or, he might

like how bright and colorful things

are displayed.

Nope.

 

Grandpa liked the Swedish Meatballs

with mashed potatoes and the

Lingonberry drink.

He was so set on eating that

I couldn't get him to smile or

even look at me.

 

There were also a lot of little kids (3 and under) there.

Steve flirted with all of them and made me

stop periodically so he could chat

with one.  The mother's were

very nice about it.

 

It was a good day for International Relations!

It's the Little Things

Steve was already up when I got home from running.  He was sitting at the table chatting with Jim who was in the kitchen.

Me:  Morning Grandpa.  How are you this morning?
Steve:  Good! Good!  How're you?
Me:  I'm a little sad today.
Steve:  I can make you happy.

I knelt down and we hugged and he gave me a peck on the cheek. 

It is the little things that make life worth it every time.

Main Street Burger

Some foods have gotten too complicated

for Steve.  Sandwiches and burgers

top the list.  He dismantles them

and then isn't always sure

what to do with the

pieces.

 

 

Tuesday

Bob and Andrew

were in town and they

wanted to try Main Street Burgers.

I was praying there would be something

Steve would eat without me having to feed him.

 

Steve saw a hot dog on the menu he wanted to try!

Yay!  I ordered a Caprese burger with balsamic

and frest mozzarella. Mmmmmm...

Steve ate most of his food. Saw

mine and ate 1/3 of

my burger.

 

Life is good.

 

Andrew finding a drink option from the
100 listed.

Bob was faster at it.

 

Grandpa was happy to be with
his boys!! (and me)



WARNING!! NOT A PC POST!!

Steve and I went to get the car washed at

The Delta Queen

on Hamilton near 17.

 

Steve LOVED the ducks!

And then...

 

 

...Steve saw the carp.

He was so excited about the white!

and orange ones!

And then...

 

 

 "I need a gun or a pole!"

 

Not PC dude.  Not PC.



The Great Escape (2015 not 1963)

Yesterday Grandpa decided he wanted to go for a walk which is usually fine.  BUT... I was in the middle of grilling dinner.  I brought him outside with me but he wanted to try the steps.  With the walker.  Without my help.  ("No, no, I'm good.")  Ummm.

We went back inside and I found a Giants baseball game for him and he seemed content.  For a few minutes.  I would run outside every 5 to 7 minutes for about 1 minute to flip the chicken.  I ran back in to find Grandpa using his walker inappropriately.

Grandpa, whatcha doin'?

I wanna go for a walk.

I know.  After dinner we can go.

Can't we go now?

I need to finish cooking, then we can go.

Oh.  I'll wait right here.

 

Now he is walking backwards to the door...

Very subtle Grandpa.





Always Look On The Bright Side of Life ...Ppphhhhtttt!

https://youtu.be/eTXiqKGFNso

 

There are just sometimes that Grandpa is not in the best of moods.

 

Tuesday night he got really mad that I didn't take him to church.

Now, he doesn't attend our church and when he has

he loves to sing (Oh, how the Sister Missionaries were giggling one week!)

but complains about how noisy our congregation is compared with his.

 

He wouldn't get off of this and just went on and on, not being convinced

that it wasn't me but his wife that didn't take him.

Nope.

Sleep finally got him and he woke up in the best of moods. Yay!

 

There was another incident on Wednesday night I won't go into

because it was about an illegal activity that I couldn't support.

 

It is hard sometimes to look on the bright side while in the midst of

turmoil.  A day later it doesn't seem nearly a bad.  And when

he wakes up and says, "I'm glad you are here!"

It makes it all worth it.

Don't Embarrass The Family

Scene:  Connor going to a job interview at Discovery Museum

Players:  Grandpa & Connor & Me

Setting:  Family Room, Connor standing by double doors, Grandpa and I sitting on couch

Connor:  Well, I'm off to my interview.

Me:  Any words of advice for Connor on his interview?

Grandpa:  Don't embarrass me.

Me:  Oh, snap!

Connor:  I can't promise I won't ruin the family name but I will do my best.

Grandpa:  Do good!

Baseball

Grandpa, Jim and I

were watching the Giants

play the Diamondbacks

yesterday.

 

Hunter Pence was up to bat.

The pitcher walked him.

Here was the ensuing comments...

 

Announcer:  Well, that's a walk for Hunter Pence.

Jim:  He's been hitting well.  They probably didn't want him to homer.

Me:  Why do they call it walking if they usually jog

or run to first base?

Grandpa:  They used to make us walk it.

Me:  Really?  Was that in high school?

Grandpa:  Last week.

 

Bbbwwwwwaaaaa!!!

 

 



Grumpy Old Men

Grandpa was on one today. 

He hollered about taking to long to leave the house.

He muttered at the people in Costco.

He glared at a couple in Trader Joe's.

He did like the NY pizza guy but only because he was making him ... uh, pizza!

He commentated a baseball game and I had to more than once ask him not to be so colorful.

It's been one of THOSE days.

Grumpy Old Men are exhausting.

Here's a clip to share my day....

https://youtu.be/WcZ62d0PATY

Strawberry Fields Forever ... Oh, and Pound Cake

Hey, Grandpa.
Yah.
Do you want anything to drink?
Yah.
What?
Do they have strawberry [milkshakes]?
I think so.
One of those.

How's the milkshake, Grandpa?
-----
Grandpa?
-----

We stopped by Le Boulanger for a loaf of bread.
Guess who saw pound cake and went nuts?
Go ahead.  Ask me.
Yup.
Pound cake and Peppermint Tea
A perfect afternoon snack.

What A Day!

What a day Jim and his dad had today!  Here is what they did:

1.  Went to Gates of Heaven to visit Babcha and Pop's grave.  Steve reminisced about them and his happy moments.
2.  Drove through Los Altos with Steve pointing out things and places he remembered while living there.
3.  Drove around El Camino Hospital.  Steve remembered where his office was and made Jim stop while he told him about his patients and work.
4.  Went to the property he bought in 1962 and raised his family.  Steve was confused about the new house that was there - it is a mega-McMansion - but remembered many of the surrounding homes and who lived there.
5.  Drove over to Foothill College where Jim played soccer often.  Steve remembered using one of the first 8mm cameras to record Jim's team. (We may have to pull those out of storage!)

They came home and had pastrami sandwiches for lunch.  Steve was chatty and so happy.  He knows.  He remembers much more than others give him credit for remembering.  Such a lovely day!

HEADLINER - Stephen Voydat Sings Tony Bennett!

Steve sang for most of the 80 minute DVD. One word.

AWESOME!

A Mall Visit

Hey Grandpa!  How's that Pepsi? 

Good.

Are you going to share your Haagen-Das

Strawberry Ice Cream?

I don't think so.

Gone.

A Blue One with A Bike Rack

This is Grandpa in his new shirt and hat.  Sharp!

 

We were at the Mini Dealership getting the

oil changed. 

Grandpa likes the blue one with the

rack for the bicycle.

It will match his eyes.... :-)

Father's Day 2015 .. Take 2!

Since Grandpa very literally fell asleep right after I took his Father's Day picture

last night we didn't open presents until tonight.

What do you think of your new hat Grandpa?
Hmmmm.....

Jimmy has one too?
They're the same!

I like it!

How do I look?

Awesome!

 

Much better pics tonight!

Father's Day 2015 Haiku+

A Father's Day Haiku+

 

Two fathers that do good

Kids love their antics. Quick!

Snap! G'pa falls asleep fast

(+Zzzzzzz)