Random Things From My Dad - HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY DADDY!

This post is a little late in coming, but then again, so are most things in my life right now.  I haven't written anything in a while, as I find myself slowing rising from a self-induced hibernation of sorts.  It's hard to articulate exactly, but I think I'll refer to it as "PTDD" - Post Traumatic Divorce Disorder.  That's probably a separate blog in itself, so I will just leave it as... "I'm Back!!!!!"

So what better way to celebrate my return to blogging than a new "Random" post about my dad.  Although this one isn't so much about what he's done for us (which is a lot).  Instead, it's about something we did for him.

 August 31st was my dad's 80th birthday.  That's a pretty big milestone and it made me ponder and reflect a little more deeply about the imperfect, flawed and yet tender relationship I have with my dad.  He yells... a lot... but he's also generous to a fault.  He really would do anything for his kids and family that he is capable of doing...

I find myself thinking about my grandfather a lot - my father's father.  He died when he was 81... I was 24 and my dad was 56.  He passed away Christmas morning of 1989.  It was by far the most bittersweet Christmas ever... even now.

So now my dad is 80 and I'm 47.  How much time do we really have left together?  No one knows, but our time is definitely limited.  He is still active and goes somewhere almost everyday.  He shops a lot (as evidenced by these posts!).... and he tinkers in his garden and with the yard.  But the years are showing... he stands a little less tall than he did last year, as his shoulders being their downward slope... his steps are more like shuffles as he makes his way from room to room.  He fell a few months ago in a neighbor's yard because he just lost his footing.  Just a few scrapes and bruises, but an ominous reminder none-the-less that he's not getting any younger.

So as I pondered all of these things as his 80th birthday drew near, I felt like we needed to do something special.  Only I had no idea what that might be.  We don't have a lot of money to buy anything extravagant.  Truth be told, however, even if we did have a lot of money I don't think there's anything we could have gotten him that he would have really wanted.  I thought, and thought, and thought... and then we came up with something special... something from me and the kids.

We put together a stack of note cards that listed 80 things we loved about "Papa".... Coming up with 80 things was pretty challenging, and some of them were a little silly, but we did it!  The kids decorated each card with markers and then we taped them all together to make a chain.  We put together a video and showed him the video as we presented the cards.  B E S T  B I R T H D A Y  G I F T  I D E A  E V E R.....  Here's the video:

I think my favorites are "most stylish" and "best stocked snack pantry".... but there are a lot of good ones in there...  It was fun to put together and a really good exercise for my kids to really thing about, and appreciate, everything that Papa does for us.  I have to remind them sometimes, that he loves us every bit as loud as he yells... and he truly does.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Random Things From My Dad - #13

Lots of catch up on the "Random Things" posts!  While I've been busy with life and such, my dad has not slowed down in his random gift giving....

Last week I had the pleasure (?) of going on an overnight camping trip with 40 plus 5th graders (yikes!).  Picture a camp sight straight out of the 1950's and that's where we were.

I think we should call it "flashback camp".... how many memories does this conjure for you?

With the cinder block cabins, an activity center with ping pong and Foosball tables, a cafeteria and a lake (well... I think it was really a pond, but they called it a lake)... it was "camp" in all it's glorious mayhem.  The weather was not terribly cooperative either (below 50 and raining!), so the outdoor activities were wrought with mismatched layering of an odd assortment of clothes, rain ponchos and plenty of coffee (adults only, of course).  Anyhow, I digress.  This is not about the camping trip, but about my dad, right?

We left on Thursday morning and came back Friday afternoon.  Not only did I have to make arrangements for my 7 year old son for Thursday afternoon and evening, I had to do something with my dogs.  In steps my mom and dad.  Our dog Lucky is quite the escape artist, so we triple checked the yard this time and made sure to block any possible "exits".   The second dog, Coco, is much more manageable as she has learned that "home" is really the best place to be and she's not all that interested in venturing off.  Even if a gate is left open, she will remain in her yard.  She KNOWS who feeds her :)  But again, I digress.

Lucky is a Lhaso Apso and needs regular grooming.  I'm ashamed to admit that I let a bit too much time go by between groomings and he was sorely in need of one at the time of this camp out.  I tried to get him into our regular groomer, but they were booked into the next week.  I hated to bring this overgrown, shaggy dog to my parents' house, but I really didn't have a choice.

Okay... it's not the best photo, but who really wants to take a picture of their dog that desperately needs to be groomed?  Anyhow, this is Lucky... yes... that blond pile of hair on the bed is actually a dog.  The black nose gives him away.

A face only a mother could love?  I don't think so... even with all his glorious shagginess, how can you not love that face?  Kind of reminds me of Chewbacca from Star Wars!

So... our overnight camping trip came to an end (I know it was just one night, but I swear all the moms were packing their stuff up, lightening speed and loading those cars faster than anything I've seen in a while!  It may have been one night, but I swear time slowed to a crawl and it seemed like about 5 days).

We drove the hour and half or so back to school just in time for school to let out.  We picked up my son and headed home.  The kids were really anxious to see the dogs, so we went and picked up the dogs from my parents' first thing.  And what did we find when we got there?  A new dog??? No... but it sure seemed like it!

My dad actually found a place that could groom Lucky that same day and had him bathed, groomed, and looking quite handsome upon our return. 

Let me just add that my dogs aren't the greatest on a leash... we have a really large backyard, so actually "walking" them really isn't necessary.  I shudder to think of the chaos that ensued when my dad, first put the leash on Lucky (he gets so excited he's hard to contain), loaded him in the car.... drove with this hyper, crazy whining dog in the car to the dog groomers (which he had never been to and I'm sure he had to get very specific directions to)... got him out of the car and into the groomers.  And THEN he had to do it all over again on the return trip.  I never, ever, ever would have asked my dad to take my dog to the groomers.  It never occurred to me that he would take it upon himself to do it.

So there you have it... another unique, yet random, gift from my dad.  

Random Things From My Dad - #12

My dad is definitely set in his ways... he has a short fuse and little patience when things don't go the way he thinks they should (which is often!).  My kids used to be scared of him, but now they're just like "oh, that's just Papa"... They accept him the way he is and seem to know just how much he loves them.  Posting about his "random" generosity really helps me to focus on the positive and truly understand that he has his own special way of showing how much he loves us... the things he buys.... the services he provides.... that's how he knows to show his support.  Writing about it reminds me everyday just how generous he is, and how important we all are to him.

Since my divorce (which was just last year) my dad has started sending his yard guys over to my house.  I never know when they're going to show up, but they do.... not only does he have them mow, he has them clean up the yard of sticks and leaves, edge the driveway and patios, and the last time they came?  He had them fertilize my front lawn AND spread the mulch which my dad also purchased and delivered to my house.

Just the other day, he showed up at my house with bug spray and mosquito repellent (mosquitoes are crazy bad in Austin!).  He left them outside my front door and let me know they were there.

Now, I don't know if these are politically correct/eco-friendly products or not, but I hope no one judges me (or him) too harshly if they're not.  He's taking care of me and my kids in every way he knows how and I couldn't possibly reject his offerings.

So these products sat, on my front porch, for a couple of days.  I knew they were there... and I knew I needed to  utilize them... it's the time of year that ants and such are getting pretty active and the mosquitoes are pretty crafty at finding their way into our house, so I KNOW they are rampant outside.  But still they sat, unused, because I just had not found the time to take care of it.

Then my dad comes by the house again, bringing more mulch (who knew the initial 10 bags wouldn't be enough?) to fill in the bare spots.  After I unloaded the bags of mulch (which, by the way, are still sitting in my yard, unopened, in front of the bare spots), my dad proceeded to spray the exterior of my house with the Ortho Home Defense... he came in and rested for a few minutes, sprinkled the mosquito pellets and was on his way.

My dad.... he will be 80 years old in August... yet he still remains active and finds ways he can be helpful around MY house....

I know that the time remaining with my dad is limited... I also realize that they day will most likely come that I'm taking care of him more than he's taking care of me.  I hope when that time comes that I am able to remember all he did for me and for my kids.  As much as he is temperamental, hard of hearing he has a heart of gold and generosity that knows no boundaries.  LOVE my dad :)

Random Things From my Dad - #11

So, so, so far behind on the "Random things from my dad" posts!  And believe me, it's not due to a lack of content.  My dad continues his generosity on almost a daily basis... from having my lawn mowed, to groceries, to clothes for my kids, to flowers....

Which brings me to the theme for the content of this post... FLOWERS!  Not sure why, but my dad has been on a roll of buying flowers, flowers and more flowers!  I'm fairly certain I didn't manage to get photos of all of them, but here are most of them (I think)... some I have no idea what they are, but they are beautiful, nonetheless...

This is the most recent assortment of  fresh cut flowers... the oranges roses are absolutely stunning... can't wait to see how they open up.  Oh!  And let's not forget the Frapuccino, Sargentos shredded cheese, Jif Peanut Butter (the ONLY kind my son will eat), 4... yes FOUR pounds of Dunkin Donuts coffee, some medium red delicious apples (also the only kind my son will eat) and some tangelos!  Woo Hoo, that's quite a haul!  Did I just say "woo hoo"?  Why yes, I think I did...

More fresh cut flowers, Irises I think (not sure), plus more coffee and some red plum jelly (again... the only kind my son will eat)

Easter Lilies for Easter... I don't believe I've ever seen purple ones, but they are so pretty.  I've planted them just outside the front door... I hope they survive...

Some more flowers... purple and white...  again, have no idea what they are, but they are beautiful.

Daffodils, right?  At least I think I'm right.  These stayed fresh for so long and were so cheery.  Loved, loved, loved them...

Tulips?  Guessing again, but I'm feeling fairly confident if I'm willing to venture a guess...  I planted these too, but right now I'm not so sure they're going to make it.  Perhaps I won't know until next year...  And let's not overlook the wonderful assortment of baking goodies... Ghiradeli Chocolate Chips, Nestles Chocolate Chips, and a variety of vanilla flavoring.  How nice all of this pairs with two bottles of wine and some Gevalia coffee...

A Shamrock plant for St. Patrick's Day!  Planted it too... we shall see....

Okay... this one I have no idea... but the fragrance is out of this world.  It smells fabulous.  This is actually the second one he brought me... the first was all pink...  Love the assortment here... Again, I planted it.   I probably shouldn't be confessing to all the "planting" because, truth be told, I do not have the best of luck when it comes to plants and such.  

Finally, another stunning and colorful fresh cut assortment.  

It seems that my dad has developed a knack of purchasing new flowers just as the previous ones have lost their vibrancy... makes it so much easier to toss the old ones when there are beautiful new ones to replace them with.

So for all his faults, my dad has offered such support for me and my kids... especially over the last year or so.  

Random Things From My Dad - #10

Okay... I am woefully behind on blogging... and there are several "Random Things From My Dad" posts yet to be written... but the latest random thing from my dad is pretty interesting...

I have a lot of issues with joint pain and chronic fatigue... my dad is always on the prowl for homeopathic remedies for all kinds of ailments and his latest contribution to my arsenal was this... The "BioEnergiser D-Tox Spa".



                 BioEnergiser

You line the tub with a plastic liner, put these special salt tablets in the water, immerse the ionic "whatever" thingy into the water, turn it on and soak your feet for about 30 minutes.  The water turns this remarkably disgusting orange/brown color.  It is supposedly removing toxins from your body and providing you relief from all kinds of ailments from migraines to chronic fatigue.

It is really this gross looking!

It would be awesome if this actually works... I am using it under the assumption that it will at least do no harm...  Gave myself my first treatment this evening... we shall see how this particularly odd "random gift" from my dad plays out...

Stay Tuned!

Random Things From My Dad - #9 Socks?

Okay... this one is short and cute and a little bit quirky.

My dad got one of his mail order packages today... he ordered these especially for my daughter (or anyone they happened to fit)... turns out, all three of us scored!

Thanks, Dad!  (and the kids say, "thanks, Papa!")

Without further ado....  the socks.....

FYI -these are those super soft chenille like socks... you know, the ones you don't dare run too fast on wood floors for fear you might fall and bust.... well... something:)

My Dad...

In case you were wondering what my dad looks like... here's a photo of him.  It's not the best quality, but it certainly captures the "essence" of Hugh.... This was taken last year and I can only hope it was near St. Patrick's Day given his choice of shirts... And the pants?  Well, those are his "lounge pants"... he typically puts these on after he's had his afternoon shower.  FYI - the table to his left is where he puts the random things for me to choose from...

My Dad :)