To Whom it May Concern

Dear Liberal Sir or Madam at Mattel,

I am writing with great concern over a few of your products that I found in my local Target store, while shopping with my soon to be 7 year old daughter. I took my dear Princess to shop for potential birthday presents for her upcoming celebration when we stumbled upon your products.

I am sure you may be familiar with these items:

Street Walker Barbie:


Hoochie-Momma Barbie:


Hooter's Girl Barbie:


However, I did not see the Hugh Hefner Barbie Mansion that completes this set. *shrug* They must have been sold out. I'm sure it is very nice. Perhaps it comes with a thong bikini for the hot tub? If not, just a suggestion.

If I may ask, very liberal Sir or Madam, who exactly decided that dolls dressed like this were appropriate for girls ages 6+, as your website states. I am a Christian mother who is trying to raise a daughter with some sense of morals and Christian values. Which is difficult enough without adding Barbie dolls dressed like someone who makes her wages on the street. Yes, I do realize you have so kindly provided us with better clothed Barbie's. The High School Musical Collection indeed has more skin coverage and is much more appropriate for the age girl who actually plays with Barbie dolls! Thank you!!

Interestingly, I found these words on your website: "Educate. Empower. Engage." You also provide a message to parents regarding their daughters becoming a member on Barbie.com:

We want you to feel educated, empowered, and engaged as you navigate through kids’ virtual worlds. This is why we encourage constant conversation between you and your daughter. Start an open dialog. Make decisions together.

Don't worry, I did. My daughter and I had an at length discussion on what is appropriate clothing as she grows older and becomes more aware of style. You might even be please to know I used Barbie photos in my discussion. Gabriella, yes....Super Short Dress Barbie, NO!





Thank you for taking the time to read my letter, Liberal Sir or Madam. If you ever take suggestions from consumers, I have a couple. How about a LL Bean or Lands End Barbie. Just a thought.

VBS 2008-- Luau Style

Those of us in the South know that no summer is complete without a week at Vacation Bible School (VBS). The theme our church used this year was "Outrigger Island" by Lifeway. The kids area of the church was decorated with a luau theme and the kids brought home several cute crafts. But the highlight of the week was the music camp led by several of the very talented parents in our church. The program went along with the Outrigger Island theme of VBS, complete with acting, singing and dancing. It was a performance that would rival any Broadway production! :-)

Here's a photo of my star performers. Aren't their shirts SO cute?!




The Princess actually made her singing debut during the performance:



The son was not as excited about the performance, he's not so much into singing and dancing, like his sister. We actually had tears during the dress rehearsal. So after a little pep talk, he was ready to perform. Kinda. I'm not sure how much longer I can make encourage him to participate. Notice his expressions and the BIG yawn in the video.





As you can see, we do have a little "ham" in the family.



And the performance of the evening does go to the Princess. This video was shot during the dress rehersal, hence the gabbing in the background. I'm sorry the quality of this video is quite poor; however, you can get the effect of her talent and skill, which she does not get from her mother (no comments Teresa):

Verse for the Week:
"Teach me Your way, Lord, and I will live by Your truth." Psalm 86:11 Holman CSB®

Motto:
Know the Truth!
Speak the Truth!
Live the Truth!

For excerpts of the music click here.
**Warning: some of the tunes are catchy and might get stuck in your head**

It was a wonderful week and the kids will have some wonderful memories of VBS 2008!

Happy Father's Day

I hate to say it but due to the crazy week we've had here at the GRITS house, the Father's Day cards have yet to make it in the mail. I know, I know.....sorry.
Just for the record the cards have actually been purchased but they did not make it to the post office.

I sort of honored my two dads in my post this past Thursday. So, I thought today I would present you both with imaginary blog-o-rrific gifts. Ok, so I'm not Father's Day card efficient AND I'm cheap. Sorry again. I love you dearly though!! That should count for something. Right?

For my step-dad, Papa, I present you with permission to a good Father's Day nap! There's nothing better than a good Sunday afternoon nap. I hope to join you in the napping spirit. (Yes sir, I dug this photo out again!)



For my dad, Nick the Greek, I'm going to have to grant you one free coupon to get your beard trimmed. I am still not buying the fact you are playing Santa Claus this Christmas. You too have permission to take a good Father's Day nap! Notice the difference in a photo from last October and a photo taken just two weeks ago.




And last but not least, I have to include the father of my children in on this fun. My dear hubby will be receiving his Father's Day cards on time because, well, it didn't require a trip to the post office. And what to present him with??? Heaven knows we do not need one more remote control to anything. I think 4 or 5 are plenty. So, I will present him with pigtail lessons for our daughter, because everyone knows that in 2nd grade you can't always have just a ponytail. I will also present you with the ability to convince our son that red meat IS good and there is more to life than white meat slathered in teriyaki sauce! I am afraid I am going to have to deny you permission for a Father's Day nap, if you recall YOU took the nap on Mother's Day! So, in honor of Father's Day I give myself permission to take the nap! :-)




I hope all of the Fathers in my life have a terrific day. Thank you so much dads for everything you have done for me. You both are blessings to me! And to my dear hubby, you are a wonderful father to our children and we are all blessed to have you in our life. Happy Father's Day!!!! I love you all!

Sky Watch Friday

For lack of anything better to post today, I am copying my bloggy friend Jennifer over at Dust Bunny Hostage. I am participating in Wiggers World Sky Watch Friday. It just a bunch of photos of, well, the sky. What else?

This photo was taken by my 9 year old son while we were traveling towards South Alabama last weekend. Enjoy.

Sincerely 'Fro Me to You-- Doubly Blessed

The theme this week at Kristen's blog is "Men's Week" in honor of Father's Day this weekend.

So, in the holiday spirit I chose to share a photo of me and my dads. Yes, plural. I have been blessed with two dads in my life. My folks got divorced when I was about 7 and my mom remarried when I was 10. While both have played different roles and fulfilled different needs in my life, I love them both dearly and would not change having both of them in my life!

This photo is from my wedding day, June 22, 1996. The wedding took place in the beautiful backyard of an aunt and uncle's house in North Alabama. I had both my dad's walk me down the "aisle".


That would be Nick the Greek on the left and my step-dad (otherwise known as Papa) on the right. Looks like that leaves little ol' me being the one in the middle. Check out the floofy hair. Hmph. Don't remember that. Wow, that bouquet was big!

So, hop on over to We Are That Family for my favorite blog carnival and check out some of the other participants. You will love it, I promise!

Out of the mouths of babes and more

As promised, I am going to share some quite amusing things that occurred at the funeral home during the visitation for my grandmother. Now, please don't think I am trying to be disrespectful in any manner. My grandmother enjoyed a good laugh and I'm sure these stories would more than crack her up.

Keep in mind there are 18 great-grandchildren in the family with the oldest two being 18 and 13, and the rest age 9 and below. For the majority of them, this was the first funeral visitation the had ever experienced. With the casket being open, my sister and I tried to prep our kids for what they would experience. And I'm sure my cousins did the same with their kids. We explained it was just Grandmother's body in the casket, and she was in Heaven with Jesus. What else do you say?

As we entered the viewing room, of course, most of our little ones headed straight to the casket. I did not. I am not a open casket kinda girl. I want to remember my loved ones as they were while living. Folks always say, "they just look so natural". They do not. Well all know it. Anywhoo, my mom went with the kids to the casket and talked with them saying the same things we had. "This is just Grandmother's body, she is not here..." They seemed satisfied and left the room to play together out in the hall.

As the hour long family only visitation ended, I thought we were in the clear with the little ones at the casket. I was wrong. The Princess and two of my nephews approached the casket one more time. I, again, directed my mom (YaYa) back over there. The conversation went something like this:

Nephew B (age 5): "Gwandmother is not they-ur"
Yaya: "No she is not"
Nephew B: "She is in heaven with Jesus"
Yaya: "She sure is"
Nephew B: "Why she got that scwatch on her face"
Yaya: "I don't know what that is from"
Nephew B: "Maybe she got an itch and she scwatched herself"
Yaya: "Maybe so"
(LONG PAUSE)
Nephew B: "She's day-ud"

My mom was beside herself trying not to laugh. My nephew was being so sweet and then he just had to restate the obvious.


Another moment in the visitation room sounded a bit like this:

Cousin A (age 7ish): "Nana, are the going to bury Grandmother in that cold gray suitcase?"
Nana: "Yes, baby, that is a casket and that's what she will be buried in"
Cousin A: "OH!"
He returns to his other cousins and makes the announcement: "They ARE going to bury Grandmother in that cold gray suitcase"

Now for the grand finale of the visitation. Oh how I hate that I missed this almost debacle!

My Aunt Sue approached the casket one more time to get a closer look at the afore mentioned scratch on Grandmother's head. As she leaned a little bit closer to the casket her cell phone came out of her pocket....YES it did. And went right INTO the casket. She turned around and grabbed my mom and said "Tell me that did not just happen!" Oh but it did. The calamity began---why, oh why, did I leave early?! Papa volunteered to go after the phone and every time he got his fingers on it, it would slip on the silky material. My Uncle said he looked over there and noticed my step-dad "elbow deep in the casket." He had NO idea what was going on. Suddenly they heard "KLUNK"

Papa: "I think it just fell through a hole"
Yaya: "A hole? There better not be a hole"
Papa: *laughing*
Aunt Sue: "Let me see if I can get it"

Meanwhile, my hilarious cousins saw the whole thing happening and began calling the missing cell phone. This was about the time the funeral director shows up to help with the search and rescue! As the phone was being taken out of the casket, it began vibrating! Just in time.

The final funny of the weekend happened while at the graveside. After the song was sung and the final prayer spoken, we all gathered around the grave for one last goodbye. Some were taking photos, while others chatted in the HOT South Alabama sun. Quietly one of my cousins was looking at the beautiful copper vault lid that had my Grandmother's name with her birth and death dates. For some reason he reached down to one of the handles and "CRACK" off came the handle. Those of us who noticed it all started laughing. I couldn't decide if his face was red from the hot sun or embarrassment. It just fit in with the rest of the weekend funnies!

I thank the Lord that I am part of a family with a good sense of humor. Sure, we all were sad about my Grandmother's death, but we did not lose our sense of humor. Like I said before, my Grandmother loved a funny story and funny moments like these would have had her in stitches. I can still hear her laugh.

Sadness and Laughter

First, I want to thank everyone for their kind comments and for the prayers as my family mourned the loss of my maternal Grandmother. Your prayers were truly felt.

Most of my mother's family reside in L.A.-- Lower Alabama-- and that is where we all gathered for the funeral services of my Grandmother. It was a family reunion, of sorts, that was filled with many emotions. We gathered in sadness but in true Borth family fashion, the house was filled with laughter and love!

Saturday we transcended upon my Uncle Dan's home. They were SO gracious in letting us stay there to save a buck on hotel rooms. The adults spent the afternoon "catching up" on everyone's lives and reminiscing. The littlest cousins spent the afternoon in the pool and on the water slide!








I'm thinking the weight limit might be exceeded here:


Somewhere in the pile-up, my dear Princess was nearly crushed. Thank you Lord for keeping her safe!


SUNGLASSES! Where are my sunglasses??? (to whom this leg belongs, I am kidding)


This is my mom's little sister after her husband shared the pool water love!


Just passing through the yard!


Sunday morning we awoke to the Princess coming in our room asking LOUDLY, "ummm, Aunt Sue said we can get in the pool if it's ok with you". I cracked my eyes open to find the clock telling me it was only 6:55 AM! I mean, who am I to say no to swimming BEFORE 7AM on Sunday morning. After all, the little cousins had been up for an hour already. Now, when is it that kids sleep until noon??? That's what I want to know!

My sweet Uncle Dan fixed us up a delicious breakfast that rivaled the Cracker Barrel. I honestly think he cooked bacon for an hour! The biscuits were accompanied by plum jam and strawberry-fig preserves homemade by my Aunt Sue.

While we were in the area we wanted to visit with my Dad's side of the family too. We enjoyed a delicious seafood lunch with Yaya, my Greek grandmother who is 92. We also were joined by one of my first cousins and her daughter. Both of our girls are named after their Great-Grand-Yaya, Emily.






My Grandmother's funeral was Monday morning. The service was very nice with songs sung by my little sister and a cousin's wife. And in true Southern fashion, we all gathered at my Aunt's house for a delicious lunch provided by the church and my uncle's family. DELICIOUS!

Of course, we took the opportunity to take some precious family photos of all the generations present.

The first generation. My mom and her siblings:


The second generation. Most of the first cousins, except my brother who is stationed in South Korea and a cousin in TN:


The third generation. All the kiddos of the cousins (I have NO idea what that makes them in the cousin scheme of things):


The Princess with her "girl cousin" and the dog named Princess:


These two are definitely related:


Thanks for letting me share my mom's side of the family with you. I just may have to come back and post all the hilarious things that happened during the visitation at the funeral home. In a respectful way, of course.

Memories

These are some photos that were taken this past December. I didn't know it at the time, but this was the last time I would see my Grandmother Guy. My mother called me early this morning to let me know that my Grandmother passed away during the night. Most of my family will be traveling for the funeral on Monday. So I thought I would share a few photos of our last visit:


These are just a few of her GREAT-grand children:


My mom and her two brothers (not in the photo, my mom's little sister):


The Princess, Me, My Mom and Grandmother:


Sitting under that blanket this winter won't be the same. My Grandmother was most famous for her wonderfully warm gifts:





I've been thinking about my Grandmother all day. I've laughed and cried. My mom's side of the family will get together this weekend and celebrate a life. I will see cousins that I haven't seen in years and meet their little ones. It's kind of sad how "life" moves us all away and apart. But this weekend my Grandmother will bring us all together one more time.

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Disney World 1970's Style

I must admit that Thursday has just about become my favorite day in blog world! There is almost nothing funnier than looking at old photos of me and my family. It brings back wonderful memories and also makes me think I am a few steps away from Alzheimer's. So without further ado, I present to you Sincerely Fro' Me to You--- Disney World 1970's Style!





This week's edition is about my first trip to Disney World back around 1973, I was a mere, *cough* *cough*, 5 years old. The photos I do have from the trip reveal the true spirit of the 70's and my love for Donald Duck! I am obligated to point out a few things from these photos.

This first photo is a picture of me and my twin sister with two little boys who must have thought we were hot babes. Wait, no, they were friends of ours who went on the trip. Anyway, the things to notice in the photo: my absolutely spectacular red pattern pants, my sister's happenin' plaid ensemble, and most importantly please notice my absolutely necessary orthopedic shoes. Which were often referred to as "corrective shoes".




So, this next photo shows me in true 5 year old form. I was a climber, folks. Loved to be in trees, sitting on a fence, or you name it. If it could be climbed, I was on it. Now, let's talk about this shirt, mom. Wow-wee. And the orange shorts matched so well! Now let's get back to those shoes since you can get a better look at 'em.




If my memory serves me correctly, I had some sort of "turning in" problem with my feet and the orthopedic doctor thought these fancy shoes would fix the problem. Right. Apparently, I spent many minutes caring for and polishing these shoes at my Montessori school. Perhaps it was my own therapy for having to wear these horrible things. Mom, would it have slowed down the correction process if you had let me wear some cuter shoes at Disney World?? Now that I got that off my chest.


This last photo is my favorite. I finally caught up with my favorite Disney character, Donald Duck. The look on my face screams happiness. Now, notice with me if you will the things I had never noticed before when looking at this photo. Check out all the grown men in the photo, their clothes, their hairstyles and their facial expressions. Hilarious.




After scanning this photo and looking at it on my computer up close I noticed a piece of paper stuck to my shirt. A nametag perhaps?? Why?? What did it say?? Mom, you'll have to help me out here. So, until my mom responds, I have ventured a few guesses as to what the tag said:

"Hello my name is Tammy, and I am wearing the most hideous clothes at Disney World"

"Hello my name is Tammy, and my mom made me wear my orthopedic shoes to Disney World"

"Hello my name is Tammy, and why are all these men standing here during my moment with Donald Duck"


"Hello my name is Tammy" and I want you to go to We are That Family and check out the others participating in this weeks Sincerely Fro' Me to You Carnival.

**Insert Indiana Jones music here**

Raise your hand if you just went "duh duh-duh-duh, duh duh duh......"

I must admit I've been a HUGE Indiana Jones fan since the Raiders of the Lost Ark came out waaaay back in 1981....yes people it's been that long. It seems like yesterday we all watched as Indy searched for the Ark of the Covenant while fighting off Nazis and one too many snakes! **chills up spine** The first movie was followed by two more: The Temple of Doom and The Last Crusade. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the sequels, but not as much as the first!

What was my favorite thing from the first three movies:

Silly question!

So here we are, ummm, 27 years later. Really? Hang on, let me rethink that number. I've done the math over and over folks, it has really been that long since we first met our dear Indiana Jones. Ok, so now that our reality break is over....

Being the huge IJ fans that we are, the hubby and I headed to the movie theater this past weekend to see the newly released IJ film: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. NO "spoiler alert" necessary. I will just say that although I did enjoy the movie, it wasn't quite what I anticipated. I'm not sure why. But it sure didn't keep me from eating that whole box of Milk Duds! As expected, there were several moments of putting my hand over my eyes and lets just say I have a new hatred for ants. Especially big nasty ones that can drag a whole human being back to their mound! I think we have those here in Alabama. Seriously.

You may ask, what was my favorite thing in the most recent Indiana Jones movie:


Once again, that's a silly question! He might be 65, but Harrison Ford IS da' man!

So, if you are a forever member in the Indiana Jones Fan Club, I recommend the newest flick. In true Siskel and Eibert fashion, I would give the latest Indiana Jones movie an Almost-Two-Thumbs-Up.

How about y'all leave some comments here about your favorite Indiana Jones movie or if you have seen the newest film, what did you think about it???