FIRE CREW

I just finished my husband, Ben Walters, first book.  I read the final proof before it is actually published and for sale.  Anyone who knows me knows that I am not an avid book reader.  I like to read magazines and blogs.  Simple, short, and to the point.  Instant gratification!  I maybe read 1 – 4 actual books, all the way through, per year.  I start many books but lose interest quickly, unless they are outstanding!  Ben tries to get me to read books all of the time.  Like my mother and my sister, he reads more like 1-4 books per week!  Also, when I find an outstanding book, worthy of finishing, I will have an extremely hard time putting it down and will have it devoured in a couple of days.

 I read Ben’s book in two days.  And would have finished it in one had I not absolutely needed some sleep so I could make it through my next 12 hour night shift at work.  I am beyond proud of this work!  I am proud to say I am married to the person that wrote it!  It is so candid and so much Ben!  He is absolutely exceptional in getting across the way he felt in all the moments of his life at the time.  It made me envious of the people that got to have all that fun with him.  Ben makes you feel like you want to be there too.  Oh man, if only we were eighteen again!

 If you are reading this, it is now available for sale on Amazon.  All immediate family will receive a copy of it for Christmas (Moms, Dads, Granny’s, Grandpas, Sisters, Brothers, and Offspring, and Step-offspring). So please wait for us to give, or send, one to you.  If you cannot wait I guess you will buy one from Amazon and we will also send, or give, you (a signed) one too. Whatever!  Beyond that we really cannot afford to give it away to everyone.  I am sorry! I am especially sorry because it is that good!

Like a Phoenix From the Ambulance Ashes...

I have been pondering for a while what car I would like to restore if it ever fell into my lap. I had a near-purchase experience several months ago with a 1977 Toyota Celica. The price was wrong, the budget was tight, and let's face it, it was puppy love. A high school crush if there ever was one for an automobile. You see, it had been a long time since I've been able to fabricate alongside my old man, and in the time that I've been away, I've developed an itch. I know what you are thinking, so let's get it out in the open, "seriously, a Toyota?!" It is important to interject here that, yes, I do have standards. My list of automotive interests includes many relevant cars ranging from the cliche (1965 Ford Mustang GT), to the muscular (1968 Chevy Camaro), to the unattainable (1971 Plymouth Barracuda). In the heat of passion, I felt that the Celica was the Juliet to my Romeo. This seemed to be the piece of me that had been missing all these years. That is, you see, until my friend Craig('s list) open my blind eyes. It was not loyalty to the Celica name that had drawn me in, it was the was that she masterfully imitated everything that I love about the muscle car generation. Her three bar tail lights that reminded me of the iconic mustang tail lights; the long, low fastback, reminicent of the prowess of a Charger.  Fortunately, by the time I had enough money to purchase a project car, all I could see were the Celica's shrinking tail lights.  I say fortunately because there was a new girl moved in just down the street and I heard that she was looking for a new owner.  On Craigslist I found a 1973 Datsun 240Z.  She looks like she has had a rough past, but with some TLC, I think we will have a bright future together.  THANKS CRAIGSLIST!!!

More toys to remember

        

I know Tara collected Mighty Max miniatures. What about Polly Pocket and Mon Chee Chee?

TOYS TO REMEMBER

I was just thinking about Christmas, being the owner of two kids and all. I was thinking about childhood toys. At first I was on a quest to find some cool vintage toys, I liked playing with, that maybe some of these new humans would like. Then I remembered, especially after seeing the kind of dough people think these things are worth, you can't push this stuff on these new kids. This really cool stuff that we cherished so much, they probably will not. And then we would just be disappointed in them. Plus there really are a lot of really cool toys these days!

First Photo: "Dolly Pops" Sooooo Cool. Good church toy. Loved Them!

Second Photo: "Moppets, Moppets, Moppets Secret Dollhouse" Do you remember the song? Definitely one of my favorite toys!!!!

P.S. Do not think I do not remember all of the barbies. But they are their own subject! They cannot be lumped in with the likes of these one hit wonders!

Tara, do you remember those Hello Kitty and My Melody dolls we had that were sort of like paper dolls, but made from that flat puffy plastic? I spotted some puffy plastic stickers, but not the dolls. Maybe they were just a dream. Let me know.

Happy Winter is Here from the Northernmost Russell-Nash's

Augusta is angry because she wants the purple parka that Fran is wearing (it was Gus's last year) and perhaps angry she has to wear Ami's un-feminine plain black snowsuit....I tried to make it right by letting her wear the coveted owl hat...but it didn't matter.....
We have about 7 inches of hell flakes littering the JBER/Anchorage area tonight. It sucks. Love, Tara

Cash for Candy

After a successful night of Trick or Treating a mother makes an effort to save her children's teeth from cavities. She pays them off with cash for their candy. Remarkably the stash of candy ends up here. AWESOME!!!!!!!!

Saying goodbye to Harley

She fought the good fight. Today she couldn't eat and she was totally blind. She was a walking skeleton. Val and I took her to the Vet and they put her down. Val took it especially hard since Harley was her favorite animal. We buried her next to her old pal Sydney, she will be missed.