A few years ago I had given my grandson, who lives in South Carolina (I live in Massachusetts), a talking bear (10-second message with my recorded voice) at the Teddy Bear (Factory?) store. He loved it so much he wore out the battery (which can be replaced/rerecorded at the Teddy Bear store.
A few months ago I picked up a recordable book from my local Hallmark store. It is so sweet! And it only takes a few minutes to record (very easy). I gave it to my grandson on the first night of my recent visit to South Carolina. He loved it! The other day his mother called to tell me he's already worn out the (replaceable) batteries. And he reads along with the words -- how cute!
By the end of the year Hallmark will have 12 titles. I thought I'd get my grandson one for his birthday and one for Christmas. I'm also going to get my 4-year-old grandson one for his baptism (better late than never!) and one for Christmas.
The Teddy Bear is suitable for younger children (although my soon-to-be-six-year-old grandson still loves his -- even without the voice). The Hallmark books are suitable for all ages through beginning readers. Both are terrific gifts whether the recipient is close by or far away -- but especially so when they are far away and miss the sound of your voice. They would also be great as bedtime stories for traveling parents. Actually, they would be wonderful for any child!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
MA Water Main Break
Last month a major water main, which provided water to eastern Massachusetts, burst and the people had to contend with obtaining potable water. That first day (Saturday), I understand, the local stores were a zoo, with water disappearing off the shelves faster than it could be restocked. I dug out my largest cooking pots, filled them, and boiled the water. It was recommended to boil water for at least one minute. I am not about to stand by a hot stove watching water boil, so I went on to other tasks and the water boiled for well beyond one minute, so I wasn't concerned about water quality.
On Sunday, just as I was about to head out the door for a luncheon appointment, I received a reverse 911 call that the National Guard was handing out water between noon and four at the local middle school. On my way home from the luncheon I decided to stop by to pick up my water and was pleasantly surprised at how quickly the process went. As I pulled up, a woman asked for my drivers license (to show proof of residency). I hadn't expected that and began shuffling through my purse for my license. Suddenly the woman announced, "I know you from the Senior Center, you can go on through." When I pulled up at the distribution point, the guardsman hoisted a flat of bottled water. I thought it best for him to put the flat in my trunk and pulled the lever -- nothing; I thought the trunk latch was stuck and pulled the lever three more times before I realized I was pulling the lever for the gas cap.
The next day I had an appointment with a client and, on the way home, decided to pick up some groceries. When I departed the grocery store, the traffic on the street had picked up considerably. As we inched along (45 minutes to go 1/2 mile!), I noticed that those in the left lane seemed to be going a little faster and briefly considered switching lanes. I realized, though, that further on down the road, those in the left lane would be required to turn left and I wanted to go straight, so I stayed where I was. A little further along I saw a man crossing the road with a flat of bottled water over his shoulder and thought, "Hmm, I bet they're giving out water somewhere down here." Sure enough, about a quarter mile later, those in my lane turned into a parking lot where water was being distributed. As I turned in, I realized my driver's license was in the trunk, so I popped the trunk and hopped out, retrieved my purse from the trunk, and slammed the trunk shut -- on the handles to the purse. A few tugs convinced me I would have to unlock the trunk to free the purse. Meantime, people are running up to me demanding my license. I blubbered something about having to get my license out of the trunk and people behind me being upset at the delay -- and they waved me on through.
Sometimes it helps to be a little ditzy!
Repairs to the broken main were expected to take months but, thankfully, the problem was located quickly and water service was restored on Tuesday. A sincere thank you goes out to all involved in the speedy repair and to everyone in the affected communities who spent long, hot days distributing water. I hope the other communities experienced the pleasant efficiency that my community did.
On Sunday, just as I was about to head out the door for a luncheon appointment, I received a reverse 911 call that the National Guard was handing out water between noon and four at the local middle school. On my way home from the luncheon I decided to stop by to pick up my water and was pleasantly surprised at how quickly the process went. As I pulled up, a woman asked for my drivers license (to show proof of residency). I hadn't expected that and began shuffling through my purse for my license. Suddenly the woman announced, "I know you from the Senior Center, you can go on through." When I pulled up at the distribution point, the guardsman hoisted a flat of bottled water. I thought it best for him to put the flat in my trunk and pulled the lever -- nothing; I thought the trunk latch was stuck and pulled the lever three more times before I realized I was pulling the lever for the gas cap.
The next day I had an appointment with a client and, on the way home, decided to pick up some groceries. When I departed the grocery store, the traffic on the street had picked up considerably. As we inched along (45 minutes to go 1/2 mile!), I noticed that those in the left lane seemed to be going a little faster and briefly considered switching lanes. I realized, though, that further on down the road, those in the left lane would be required to turn left and I wanted to go straight, so I stayed where I was. A little further along I saw a man crossing the road with a flat of bottled water over his shoulder and thought, "Hmm, I bet they're giving out water somewhere down here." Sure enough, about a quarter mile later, those in my lane turned into a parking lot where water was being distributed. As I turned in, I realized my driver's license was in the trunk, so I popped the trunk and hopped out, retrieved my purse from the trunk, and slammed the trunk shut -- on the handles to the purse. A few tugs convinced me I would have to unlock the trunk to free the purse. Meantime, people are running up to me demanding my license. I blubbered something about having to get my license out of the trunk and people behind me being upset at the delay -- and they waved me on through.
Sometimes it helps to be a little ditzy!
Repairs to the broken main were expected to take months but, thankfully, the problem was located quickly and water service was restored on Tuesday. A sincere thank you goes out to all involved in the speedy repair and to everyone in the affected communities who spent long, hot days distributing water. I hope the other communities experienced the pleasant efficiency that my community did.
Vacation
I just returned from a 13-day vacation visiting family in South Carolina.
The trip got off to a shaky start when I presented my ticket and ID at airport security. The man at the security desk spent (I thought) an inordinately long time perusing my driver's license. I babbled, "I know, it's the worst picture ever taken of me." After a long, theatrical pause, he replied, "It's expired." When I began looking for my current license, he waved me on through.
The vacation itself was all that a vacation should be. I hadn't seen my daughters in almost two years. One daughter drove 90+ miles from Columbia SC to Charlotte NC on Friday to pick me up at the airport, then proceeded to drive back to Columbia and on to Charleston SC (100+ miles) so we could weekend with my other daughter.
The next day we visited a friend's pool. I haven't been in a bathing suit or a pool for forty years, but my five-year-old grandson was a bit chary of the pool (the things we do for our grandkids!). In truth, it was a huge stepping stone for me also. I had recently lost a bit of weight and, although not at my ideal weight, could actually fit into my bathing suit. I was also uncomfortable about the scar resulting from hip replacement surgery, but nobody else seemed to notice. I was also nervous about getting into the pool itself (afraid I'd slip & injure myself), so stayed within grabbing distance of the edge throughout. Not all that I'd hoped to accomplish, but I'm pleased with what I did do.
When my daughter went to work that evening, she was chastised for having "an inappropriate sunburn"!
We returned to Columbia on Sunday evening. During the week, while my daughter was at work and my grandson at day camp, I visited with my sister and her husband. Friday was my mother's 94th birthday. She hadn't felt up to a big festive occasion so family members either visited with her throughout the day or called. My daughter came up from Charleston on Friday and we held a big family supper; we laughed so much! Saturday we held a yard sale. I had hoped to sell some candles from the Mia Bella line that I just started distributing but it was so hot (high nineties with near 100% humidity) I don't think anyone was in a candle mood.
Sunday I returned home and, apart from the 45-minute delay sitting on the tarmac waiting for the weather further north to clear, it was uneventful. My son picked me up and took me to dinner. While at dinner, he informed me that he and his family (2 adults, 2 kids & a black lab) might be moving in with me in August. That should be interesting!
Once I actually got to my house, I started in on the accumulated voicemails, emails (1000+) and snailmails that had accumulated in my absence (my daughter does not have internet or cable). I've gotten through the emails, voicemails, snail mail, facebook, twitter and am now in the process of reposting all my expired craigslist sales. So much work (in addition to my regular work)! Sometimes I don't think vacations are worth the extra work and aggravation!
The trip got off to a shaky start when I presented my ticket and ID at airport security. The man at the security desk spent (I thought) an inordinately long time perusing my driver's license. I babbled, "I know, it's the worst picture ever taken of me." After a long, theatrical pause, he replied, "It's expired." When I began looking for my current license, he waved me on through.
The vacation itself was all that a vacation should be. I hadn't seen my daughters in almost two years. One daughter drove 90+ miles from Columbia SC to Charlotte NC on Friday to pick me up at the airport, then proceeded to drive back to Columbia and on to Charleston SC (100+ miles) so we could weekend with my other daughter.
The next day we visited a friend's pool. I haven't been in a bathing suit or a pool for forty years, but my five-year-old grandson was a bit chary of the pool (the things we do for our grandkids!). In truth, it was a huge stepping stone for me also. I had recently lost a bit of weight and, although not at my ideal weight, could actually fit into my bathing suit. I was also uncomfortable about the scar resulting from hip replacement surgery, but nobody else seemed to notice. I was also nervous about getting into the pool itself (afraid I'd slip & injure myself), so stayed within grabbing distance of the edge throughout. Not all that I'd hoped to accomplish, but I'm pleased with what I did do.
When my daughter went to work that evening, she was chastised for having "an inappropriate sunburn"!
We returned to Columbia on Sunday evening. During the week, while my daughter was at work and my grandson at day camp, I visited with my sister and her husband. Friday was my mother's 94th birthday. She hadn't felt up to a big festive occasion so family members either visited with her throughout the day or called. My daughter came up from Charleston on Friday and we held a big family supper; we laughed so much! Saturday we held a yard sale. I had hoped to sell some candles from the Mia Bella line that I just started distributing but it was so hot (high nineties with near 100% humidity) I don't think anyone was in a candle mood.
Sunday I returned home and, apart from the 45-minute delay sitting on the tarmac waiting for the weather further north to clear, it was uneventful. My son picked me up and took me to dinner. While at dinner, he informed me that he and his family (2 adults, 2 kids & a black lab) might be moving in with me in August. That should be interesting!
Once I actually got to my house, I started in on the accumulated voicemails, emails (1000+) and snailmails that had accumulated in my absence (my daughter does not have internet or cable). I've gotten through the emails, voicemails, snail mail, facebook, twitter and am now in the process of reposting all my expired craigslist sales. So much work (in addition to my regular work)! Sometimes I don't think vacations are worth the extra work and aggravation!
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