Thursday, September 27, 2012

IT'S ALL GOOD

I managed to finally get a hold of Bob yesterday. His MRI was clean. And he sounded so much better. So, I'm as excited as a skeeter at a nudie beach. We talked for about 20 minutes or so. Everything from how he is doing to homemade jelly and motor cycles.

We are getting down to the nitty gritty. We are close to hitting our goal of $2000.00 dollars. Just a few hundred more and I'm ready to get hairless. I also just told my Mom about what I'm getting ready to do. She was kind of quiet on the phone for a bit. Then she said if that's the most you're going to do and as long as it's not like some of the things I used to do in school, then she was okay with it.

Then she brought up about how she messed up my Dad's haircut several years ago.(I have a picture somewhere.) We laughed about it. She reminded me about how upset she was and how she cried about it for like three days.

Fall has come to Colorado. The trees in the high country have given up the green and are now yellows and oranges in color. And now some of the trees around town are starting to change also. I like fall. It's a great time of the year. Used to be you would rake up the leaves and burn them. Love that smell! Almost as good as a good campfire or a fire in the old fireplace.

Speaking of fireplaces, I need to get some more firewood before the snow flies. I got out the old snow shovel and got the snow blower out. So, I'm somewhat ready for winter. Bob brought up talk of snow down his way. Said that some of the mountains in New Mexico had a light dusting about two weeks ago. He  heard some elk bugles also.

So, things are good. I'm very glad that Bob is doing better. Let's see if we can hit our mark of $2000 and, if not, who knows -- I just may go all the way anyway and do the thong thing. Just to give everyone a laugh, or to give you all some nightmares before Halloween.

So, if you can, pass the word just a little more please.

I'm pumped!

I'm ready!

I'm in the mood!

I just hope that I don't burn your retinas when I do this. Plus, Bob still has no idea of what's coming. I can't wait to show him the video, before I hand him the check.
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My goal is to raise at least $2,000 to help with Bob's medical expenses, but (of course!) anything over that would help a lot. Please use the Chip-In widget on the right side of the blog, or go directly to http://granddadscorner.chipin.com/bobs-chemotherapy-and-medical-expenses to make your donation. Many thanks!

Monday, September 24, 2012

Jim. . .A History in Hair (a Kathi post)

There are just a few days left in Jim's fundraising efforts for his friend Bob to help with his medical expenses.

His campaign got off to a great start, then it kinda stalled out. He has not seen a donation in the past week. He's thinking maybe no one wants to see him in a thong. Well, except me, of course.

He's been researching where to get his head shaved and hair removal, and we may just do it at home.

His mom once accidentally shaved his dad's hair off. His dad just laughed about it, but his mom felt bad and cried for a couple days. She has one of those home hair cutting devices, and she forgot to set it so that it would leave a certain length and she started to cut it off the back. Well, one swipe and there was a big ol' racing stripe up the back of his head. Well, of course it couldn't be left like that, so he told her to just keep going. He looked like a boiled egg. It was not a flattering look.

I suspect Jim is wondering if he will look like a boiled egg, too. He told me that he has psyched himself up and is ready for it. I'm not sure if I am or not.

When I first met Jim, he had long hair. He kinda looked like South Park Jesus. He's about 21 in this picture (above).


He had different hair over the years, but I don't really have many pictures. Here's another one of him when he was about 25 (above).


Here he is in a picture on our wedding day. Spikier and shorter. We've been married 10 years, so this was July of 2002. (Above)


This picture is of him taken just a couple years ago. He was growing his hair. (Above)


Then, in this one with one of his junior high/high school friends, with spikier hair from a couple summers ago. I think this is my favorite of his hair. It just kinda suits his personality -- a little bratty. Can't you tell?  (Above)


Now that he is growing it out for a big shave, it's longer than he is used to. He told me it is starting to drive him crazy. This picture was taken just last week. (Above)



I don't have any pictures of him in a thong yet. But here is one in which he is wearing a tiara. Not bad hair, right? (Above, 2005)


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

ONE HALLOWEEN

Well, with Fall just around the corner, Halloween will be upon us. That got me to thinking about a Halloween when I was 17 or 18. All those many years ago my friend Bob had gotten me to go to this folk dancing group. I went just because there were girls there. I found that I enjoyed the dancing. AND, of course, the girls.

As Halloween approached, the guy running the dances (his name was Ted) announced that we would be having a Halloween party. As we left the dance, Bob and talked about the party and what we would dress up as. I decided that I would dress as a cowboy, with spurs and a six gun. Bob didn't know what to dress as. We talked about it more during the week. As the time for the party drew near, I had a great thought.

Bob could go as a wolf man! I had played around with face paints and makeup and such for a while, and was pretty good at making people up. It took several days for Bob to decide to do it. I had him come over early the night of the party. I told him to wear a black turtleneck sweater and blue jeans. Because I was living with my grandparents, my grandmother would help me transform Bob from himself into THE WOLF MAN!

Bob showed up. We had everything we needed. Lamb's wool to glue to his face, that I had dyed a dark brown. A lighter color of brown makeup to put on his face. Spirit gum to hold the wool to his face. I had thought about using perma bond, but my grandmother wouldn't let me. I thought it would be funny, with Bob not being able to get it all off of his face after the party. Oh well.

Bob sat in a chair in the kitchen and I started. I put makeup all over his face, but left some areas free of the makeup so I could adhere the lamb's wool to his face. As the lamb's wool was applied, it was combed back into his hair so that it blended in. It was held in place by bobby-pins. I wish I had a picture to show! And, for the finishing touch, I had bought some of those fake, glow in the dark fangs. It all turned out great. Even Bob was impressed.

So Bob went as the Wolf Man, and I went as a cowboy. We headed off to the party. As we drove, people were looking at Bob and giving a thumbs up. Bob was enjoying himself. At one light he got phone numbers from two cute girls that were dressed up as a Indian princess and a French maid. Lucky dog. (No pun intended.) As we were pulling up to the dance, we saw that everyone was dressed up. It was going to be a fun night. I noticed that Ted had dressed up as a cowboy also.

So, as I parked the car, I came up with a plan. I told Bob that I would go in and leave the door of the building open, then I would then challenge Ted  to a gun fight. Bob was to stand ready at the door. After Ted and I had our gun fight, I would say in a loud voice something about since we couldn't seem to settle our dispute with guns, I would just have to sic my dog on him. Then Bob would come in.

I went in and challenged Ted to a gun fight. He agreed. I counted to three. We both drew, and BANG! BANG! BANG! We both missed. Ted started to laugh. Well, I hollered at Ted, "YOU THINK THIS IS A LAUGHING MATTER?!! BY GOD, I'LL SIC MY DOG ON YOU"! Then I whistled as loud as I could and hollered, "GIT 'EM, DOG!"

Bob ran into the room, hunched over, making all kinds of noise like a wild dog. He ran up to Ted, grabbed Ted by one of his legs, and proceeded to dry hump Ted's leg. Bob made this contorted face, had his tongue hanging out, and made some grunting noises. Everyone about died laughing. I never laughed so hard in my life! Bob was the hit of the party. It was one of the better parties we had ever been to.

I haven't dressed up for a Halloween party in I don't know how long. Neither has Bob. I tried to do some folk dancing last summer. I'm surprised that I can remember some of the dances. The mind is willing, but the body is like... "what in the heck do you think you'rer doing?! You can't do this any more." But, some of the girls that we danced with all them years ago? They still got it and can dance just fine. Bob and I will just have to set on the side lines and watch.

Unless Bob has been out shaking it and can still do some of those folk dances. I wonder what he and his wife are doing this Halloween? I still have some of the makeup, and lamb's wool!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

YESTERYEAR FALL DAY

I was four or five years of age when I was taken out for my every first squirrel hunt. My dad was in the Air Force, and we were living in Russellville, Arkansas, at this time. Dad was home for the weekend, and Grandpa Hahn had called to see if dad would like to go hunt some squirrels. I pestered my dad until he said yes. We were up and out of the house early, going by grandpa's to get his hunting dogs and gear loaded up in his the truck.

The morning was crisp and the sun was just coming up. The dogs were excited to be out in the woods. I was in charge of the old ruck sack that was loaded with extra shot shells for grandpa's shot gun, and my dad had tossed in a few extra boxes of .22 rounds. The ruck also carried a mid morning snack of fried egg sandwiches, a thermos of coffee, and a smaller thermos of hot chocolate for me. It also had some dog treats, and a jug of water for the dogs and with which to wash our hands after cleaning the squirrels.

The ruck sack was heavy. I was very determined to carry it. It was almost as big as I was. It would drag now and then on the ground if I took too big of a step. It would also keep me on my back if I fell down, which happened a few times. Dad and grandpa would laugh as they helped me get back on my feet. As we walked, I was in the middle so they wouldn't lose me. I picked wild blackberries and stuffed them in my mouth.

There was the smell of the berries, and of the dirt, and dead leaves as we walked. There was also the smell of the dogs as they ran around us, and the smell of grandpa's pipe as he puffed on it as he walked. I could smell the crisp, clean air, and see my breath and their's as we walked. There was the smell of that old ruck sack also.The musty smell of many hunting trips, dogs, coffee, pipe tobacco, and of grass, weeds, and wild flowers. Even the smell of puppies, from one of grandpa's dogs giving birth out in the field as they hunted years ago. There was even a little bit of the smell of grandma's perfume.

We walked and walked. The dogs were running and jumping and sniffing, and then chasing a squirrel up into the pecan and walnut trees. Grandpa took aim and -- BOOM!!! The silence was broken. Then the forest was all quiet. The squirrel that grandpa shot fell to the ground. One of his dogs picked it up, ever so gently, and brought it to grandpa. The rest of the dogs started to bark at the base of that tree. Squirrels scattered among the branches. My dad took aim with his .22 -- pop, pop, pop! We had three more squirrels to put in a gunny sack that we pulled form the ruck sack.

We walked, hunted, and added more squirrels to the bag. Mid morning, grandpa decided that it was time to take a break. We sat on a little hill that gave us a view of the surrounding woods -- there were walnut, pecan, maple, and all kinds of other trees. There were wild grape vines, black berry bushes, and all sorts of brush and weeds. And the colors! Oh the colors. . . reds, yellows, oranges, purples, greens, and browns. And sorts of smells that made your head spin.

We sat on that hill, the three of us. . . my grandpa, my Dad, and me. They drank coffee and I drank my hot chocolate. The fried egg sandwiches were on homemade bread, with mustard, mayo, bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Boy, I can still taste it!

The dogs lounged around us. I was petting any of them that came up to lick mustard off my face. Dad and grandpa talked of hunting, fishing, cars, and other things. Me? I was listening to everything they said. I was also trying to listen to all of the sounds from the forest.

We headed back towards grandpa's truck. They were still hunting. I was trying to keep up and carry the ruck sack. It seemed to get heavier as we went. We had gotten at least a dozen squirrels. I could smell them through the old ruck sack. Grandpa and my dad talked about how good it was to get out in the woods together, to be able to spend time together. All three of us picked more berries on our way to the truck.

That night at grandma's and grandpa's house we had dinner: fried squirrel, with biscuits and gravy from the drippin's. We had some fried okra, tomato slices, and mashed potatoes. Dessert was blackberry cobbler, with homemade ice cream.

Dad had to head back to the base in Little Rock on Sunday night, but we got to spend time with him in the yard as he raked up a rainbow of fallen leaves. After, he jumped in them with us and rolled with us in the yard.

I had a hard time waiting for the next weekend. We were all going to go pick berries and apples!

Monday, September 17, 2012

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: 9-17-12

"Let your hook be always cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be a fish."
--Ovid, Roman Poet


Also, I've just passed the $1,500 level (the widget at the side doesn't always display correctly, but you can click the link under the widget to see the accurate number).

Thanks to all who have prayed for Bob. Thanks for those of you who have contributed. Please keep sharing with those who may want to so we can collect that last $500 of my goal.

Thank you!

Friday, September 14, 2012

ALL THAT, AND MORE

I stopped by Sears today. They have Christmas stuff going up.

I was looking for a job, and thought that I had one at a Harley dealership. Well, that fell through. Their loss. 

Now, I'm working up to going out to mow the yard again. I'm ready to put the mower away, but I'm sure I will have to mow at least three more times. 

I need to get the snow blower ready for this winter. It's got a flat tire that needs to be fixed. I put a strap around the tire, tightened up the strap, and tried to get it to seat around the rim then I tried to put some air in it. No go.

That's why I went to Sears. To see if they could fix me up. What a bunch of  honyaks. So, I'll try something and somewhere else.

It is also time to take a trip up into the hills. The aspens are turning and Kathi and I would like to see them and take a few pictures. Then I can post about them later on.

Nugget and I have been walking almost every day this week. We have logged 4.8 miles, which is not bad for two old farts like Nugget and me.

My brother in-law is still up in the mountains playing at hunting. He is afraid of heights, yet he has his butt up in a tree stand. Go figure. He will mess in his mess kit if he ever drops an elk. Plus, he will mess same kit if the wind blows while he is in his tree stand.

My friend Bob and his wife had a great time at their son's wedding. We had a nice visit and dinner with them last Thursday. He seems tired and quieter than we are used to him being.

We got a picture or two of Bob and I. (I'm the one with my hair, for right now.)

I talked to Bob this morning. He was waiting to get his meds and complaining a bit about how they were to be ready for him to pick up but they had not gotten around to finishing that up for him. They waited around for 45 minutes for them to finish filling them. Bob said he at least got to look at a few magazines while waiting.

He sounded tired, but seemed to be in good spirits. We talked about Fall and the fall colors. Bob said they don't get fall colors where they live like we do in Colorado. He and his wife were able to take a drive up in the mountains here and got to see some of the colors here in the Rockies. I think that he might be a bit homesick for Colorado. He is also still waiting, as we all are too, for the results of his latest MRI. We are praying that it comes back clean.

Donations are still coming in. A bit slow, but still coming in! The place I was going to go to for the waxing fell through, do I'm checking on a new one.

I'm still on the hunt for the thong. Someone suggested that I go to Victoria's Secret. I can just see myself walking in and asking for a extra large purple thong. What a hoot! Good thing my Mom doesn't know what I'm getting ready to do. Plus, I'm hoping that we don't have any more bike nights at the Harley place. It would be unusual showing up with no hair.

To see my progress at its most accurate, please visit http://granddadscorner.chipin.com/bobs-chemotherapy-and-medical-expenses. I am getting closer to the original goal, but I hope we can surpass it. I was shocked at the amount he owes already right now. Geez!

Thanks, all, for your support and your help. 

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Stand Down: A Kathi Post

There was a news report in town with that headline that there was an armed man in a thong. I just had to let you all know that it is NOT Jim, just in case you were worried.
http://kdvr.com/2012/09/06/denver-police-establish-perimeter-around-possibly-armed-man-in-thong/

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: 9-4-12 And other things

"How can you say luck and chance are the same thing? Chance is the first step you take, luck is what comes afterwards."
--Amy Tan, American writer


Hope everyone had a good Labor Day weekend. Ours was pretty quiet. We did take an afternoon to go to Lakeside Amusement Park. This park has been around for almost 90 years or more. I haven't been to it since I was like 17. It seems much smaller now than it did from when I was a kid. Kathi rode the ferris wheel for the first time in her life. She said that it didn't look to big, and it didn't look like it was that high. Well, that changed when we got on and they stopped it at the top. I have fingernail marks on my wrist to prove it. Or it might have been from my rocking the car just a little bit. After about 4 hours or so, we were done. I noticed that on some of the rides I didn't have as much leg room as I did years ago.

My friend Bob and his wife made it to Denver, and their son's wedding was on the 2nd. We will get together with them on Thursday evening for dinner.

I'm also going to see about a jjjjjjjjob this week. Could use some extra income, as we all probably could. So cross your fingers and toes.

Also, we are still working on raising some money for my friend Bob. We have enough for me to shave my head, which I will do as soon as Bob leaves town. He does not know what we are all doing, and that would tip him off. We are also almost to the level for me to wax the top half. Trying to find a thong has been a bit of a challenge. But, we will make it work. So please keep on passing the word around. And to those of you who have already helped in some way, I thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Those of you who want to see a guy get his head shaved, body waxed, and in a thong? Donate and ask others to do the same. Again, a huge thanks to those who already have. It's for a good cause. I haven't done anything crazy like this in years. You can ask my wife. Really, you can!

Here's the link to the full info: http://granddadscorner.chipin.com/bobs-chemotherapy-and-medical-expenses
Thank you all!