Friday Funnies

So I ran this photo past some of the engineers I work with, and many of them didn't find anything wrong with this picture...I guess that shouldn't surprise me?! Anyway, I was pumping gas yesterday next to this guy, and bless his heart he was cracking me up with those black socks pulled up as far as they would go and the black dress shoes with the knit shorts. Normally I would link this to Fight the Frump at Fussypant's guide to life, but I think Allie's too busy with all that is going on this week to post that segment. Have you come across any funny fashion statements this week? If so, I'd love to hear them!

As a follow up to last week's funny signs post, I passed this sign at our local golf course (a popular spot for parties, weddings and the like)

Welcome

Close/Call Wedding

I'm thinking if that was me, I'd have chosen instead to declare

Congratulations

Mr. & Mrs. Call

Have a wonderful weekend, all!

Keeping Memories Alive

My parents on my wedding day

I was paging through the September issue of Family Fun magazine a week or so ago when I came across an article that made the breath catch in the back of my throat. This month’s creative solutions article, titled “A Day with Grampy” so spoke to something I’ve been longing for that it brought me to tears, and I have to admit I’m getting teary just writing this post.

I’ve mentioned before in passing that I lost my father to a heart arrhythmia five and a half years ago. It’s a day that will always be crystal clear in my mind, and yet there are days when it still feels unreal to me.

The day my daughter was born was - without a doubt - one of the happiest, most awe inspiring days of my life. At the same time, I couldn’t help but think of Dad and how happy and proud he would be, what a wonderful grandpa he would make, how sad it was that Sweetpea would never get to know this wonderful man. In her article, Shelley Abreu describes the day of her daughter’s birth as “joy mixed with a deep sorrow”, oh how I can relate to that feeling.

From the day I found out I was pregnant, I’ve been thinking about ways to help Sweetpea know what a wonderful man her grandpa was, about ways to make him real to her. In her article, Shelley helped me find a way, and I am so thankful and excited.

“A Day with Grampy” was born as her way to help her daughters get to know their “Grampy” - through a series of cards describing her memories, stored in an old suitcase. Her cards included photos, recipes, stories and mementos, all describing her father in vivid detail. What a wonderful tribute to him and his life, what a wonderful way to bring his memory to life for her children!

Sweetpea is almost 18 months old, and I plan to start working on her “Grampy” cards now. When she is old enough to understand, I will have a nice, well thought out stack of cards to show her. I plan to ask my family and a few of Dad’s friends for ideas. I think this project will be good for my heart, and I can’t wait to introduce Sweetpea to hear grandpa.

Do you have traditions or stories you tell to help your children learn about relatives or friends who are no longer with you? If so, I would love to hear about them!

Works For Me Wednesday

I'm so glad this is a reverse WFMW today! I could really use some suggestions...

I have the most beautiful cherry wood dining room table, a gift from my dear famous grandparents for our wedding. It is by far the focal point of the room, a real work of art...which is why it bothers me so that most days it sits covered - with LAUNDRY!

Yes, friends, we have a laundry problem, and not your typical laundry problem! We don't have dirty laundry piling up in our utility room...we don't argue over whose turn it is to turn on the washer or sort the clothes...no, MY problem is that I HATE putting the nice clean piles of laundry away! So...any suggestions out there? I need a method, a tip, trick or mindset change! Please, sweet friends, help me find my beautiful dining room table and restore it to its former glory!!
For more reverse WFMW posts, stop on over at Rocks in My Dryer!