More photos ... as they grow up!

I found a few other photos of Kasi and Shara and had to post them -- well, didn't have to but thought I'd like to!!

Jene' was the big sister here!

Singing together ... how the years have flown by!!

They grow up toooo fast!!

It's hard to believe that Kasi will be 18 in a couple months! It seems like yesterday, she was just a little gal who we loved to dress up in frilly dresses. Her dark complexion and dancing brown eyes always captivated people who saw her.

One of the funniest things as she was growing up was how she perceived herself. She was with me one day at a store and she looked at the lady behind us ... "You're brown, just like me!" She told the lady who seemed a little taken back by Kasi's statement. (Kasi always insisted that she was not 'black', she was 'brown'. She had a point!)

This week, Kasi posted photos of her and my niece, Shara, on her myspace account. Talk about bringing back memories!!! Shara just turned 18 in July and Kasi's birthday is in November. They have always been close but this photo seemed to capture one of their fun times! So, I couldn't pass up sharing it here - I'm not sure where they got the shoes!

It takes so little to make someone's day ...

Teri called me this morning to share what had happened to her.

She went into Publix to pick up a couple things and probably was in a hurry. However, in a small 'cafe' type of area, she saw an older gentleman sitting alone. She immediately recognized him from many years ago when he worked there in Winter Haven at Eckard's (drug store). She's is her mother's daughter so immediately went over to talk to him. She asked him, "Did you used to work at Eckard's?" He seemed very surprised that she remembered and brightened up noticeably. She also remembered that he had done artwork and commented on that as well. Again, he seemed overwhelmed that someone remembered.

He explained why he was there ... his wife is now in a nursing home. While he goes to visit her every day, she has dementia so doesn't remember him very often. So, he comes to Publix every day and just sits there so he can interact with people of the community. He shared that he is lonely and this seems to help.

He told Teri that he had some of his artwork in his car so while she shopped for the few items she needed, he went to the car to bring them back in to show her. She took time to look at them and chatted for a little while before going on her way.

His comment as she left was, "You really made my day!"

So, I think I need to be a little more aware of those people who might be sitting alone -- just waiting for someone to brighten their day -- even if it's only for a few minutes.

Oh, Where, Oh, Where???

I was one of those who thought having a "Bluetooth" (whoever came up with that name) sticking out of their ear was simply for status sake. Well, that was before I tried to talk on the phone and drive for any distance. Once I got one, I was hooked!

So, tonight I needed to make a couple longer calls, hooked up the bluetooth to my ear and was off and running. One of my calls was to my brother, Thad, in the photo with my dad. For some reason, I decided to scratch my ear, forgot the bluetooth was there and it went sailing through the air.

Now, remember that I am in a wheelchair - I am sitting at my desk in the office and somewhere on the floor is my bluetooth, which, of course, sort of melts into the color of the carpet! I call for Kasi since I think she is within voice range at the same time, yelling, "Thad, hang on. I've got to find my bluetooth -- Kasi, can you help me?" She thought I had absolutely gone a little nutty and I could hear Thad talking to me from the floor somewhere. And I'm trying to assure him that I will be there as soon as I can find him!

So we followed the voice and I got the bluetooth back on my ear and Thad had a great laugh -- okay, I did, too -- it's fun to laugh at yourself (if it isn't too embarrassing!) So, I guess I'll be one of the bluetooth (or 'teeth') people unless I forget, scratch my ear and someone wonders what in the world is flying towards them. (It looks like a mini-bat!)