The Letter

THE LETTER Arrives

Today the Christmas Card and hand written email (this was the comment at the top of the letter) arrives at the Richard Mitchell's. Since the day before Thanksgiving there has been no communication. A kind hug at the Sandlin Wedding with a promise to see us before Christmas. The letter wished us a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I will say no more.....

Chatty Cathy

Chatty Cathy was a doll manufactured by the toy company Mattel beginning in 1959. (This was the year I was born) The doll was released in stores and on television commercials beginning in 1960. Chatty Cathy celebrates her 50th birthday in 2010. 

A brilliant doll during this time, Chatty Cathy spoke one of eleven phrases at random when the "chatty ring" protruding from its upper back was pulled. The doll said 11 phrases when she came on the market in 1960 such as "I love you" or "Please take me with you".

Originally, Chatty Cathy had blonde hair and blue eyes and her outfit was a blue dress with a white eyelet overblouse, panties, crinolne, blue shoes and white socks. Other accessories accompanying the doll were a story/comic book, shoehorn and a paper wrist tag that was also a numbered warranty card. The doll and it's accessories were advertised at less than $20 and is now worth more than $300.00. 

My doll has been long gone because I never really played with dolls. But this is the only doll I can ever remember having and I got it for Christmas. I do remember this very well and I know I made her talk a million times.

Atari

During my pregnancy with Wesley, Rick worked the night shift at UAB CICU.  I would come home from work to our apartment at Monte D'Oro - eat a little dinner - then sit on the floor to play Atari River Raid.  I would play for hours and hours maneuvering this ship through the water, refueling and getting rid of anything in my path. I know I was crazy and eating ice cream sandwiches.

25yrs

25yrs ago

Today is Jonathan Wesley Mitchell's 25th birthday! 1/4 of a century ago - God gave Rick and I a precious son at 7lbs, 4oz, blue eyes and blond hair. We celebrated tonight at Mofiaozas Restaurant in Crestline Village with pizza, cheese sticks and a very green golf birthday cake (thanks ML) that was so delicious.

Licking Dog

As a small child, I remember my aunt and uncle, Lou and Ramon Custred, taking me to see a billboard in downtown Birmingham. The billboard is a big white and black dog and its moving tongue is licking a bowl of dogfood. Every time I would go to visit them I would beg to go and see the dog. Today, 50 yrs later, the dog billboard is still standing on the First Avenue North bridge going toward the airport. I currently work on First Avenue North and drive by the dog everyday with sweet memories of my childhood.

My uncle Ramon also was a silly uncle. He taught me several riddles as a child that I have passed on to my children.

Muh Hey, Muh Hoe
Muh Rum stick a Bum
Stick a polly wink cattail
Fall down rat tail
Up against the cupboard door
Sing song
Gitchy, Gitchy, Guymeo

Another One:

Pickle in the middle
and the mustard on top
Makes your lips go
Flippity, Flop

Accident Report

Accident Report

The accident report for the hit and run on my car was ready to be picked up today! Rick went to the south precinct to pick it up and asked the lady (who did not like her job that day) about the supplement report of the witness who phoned in the tag numbers of this accident. A crime was committed, but due to privacy laws - no information can be given on the name of the person responsible for this crime. How crazy is that! I do know that Jesus was looking out for me as my protector - There was an eye witness, the police actually put on the report that I was legally parked, but insurance can't help until the police give the name of the individual who hit me.

Kainaan, Elijah and Libby will be spending the night with Pal and Lala tonight. The box of toys, micro-machines, matchbox cars, movies and popcorn are always on the agenda.

VDay

It was a wonderful Valentines Day. I think we were up beginning at 2am on this sweetheart of a day. We had one grandchild who couldn't sleep out of three so we were up and going. We had pancakes and pop tarts for breakfast, took a trip to the dollar store, went to McDonald's for lunch, spent time with Richard when he picked up the children, Wesley brought me roses, Spencer called and was so sweet sending hugs and kisses from college. After our life settled a twitch, my mate gave me a big kiss, a sweet card and a hand carved couple from the "Willow Tree" promise of love. I can't remember if we ate dinner, but we did retire really really early.

WILLOW TREE PROMISE
Hold dear the promises of love.A gentle embrace bears witness to the love of the couple portrayed in this figurine. Quiet and intimate, Susan Lordi's sculptures communicate a loving and personal connection to others and the world around us. Each piece is cast from her original carving and then painted by hand. Their simplicity and serenity bring warmth and grace to any home, and are perfect gifts for any occasion. Willow Tree is an intimate, personal line of angels and figurines representing qualities and sentiments that make us feel close to others, heal wounds, or treasure relationships to living things.The name Willow Tree symbolizes that which is gestural, beckoning and romantic. The figures are columnar in design, like a tree, and often carry flora or fauna symbolic of human virtues or qualities.The figurines and angels are rendered so as to reveal their expressions through body gestures only… a tilt of the head, placement of the hands, a turn of the body. The absence of facial features contributes to the quiet and modest design.