hermit crab

You've seen them in the pet store hiding in their shells. And you've probably tried to coax them out, too, only to be grossed out by their bazaar appearance. Prepare yourself. Glamour-R-Us is found nowhere in this tale of, "Hermit Crab in Flight"



People have asked me about the scenery. "Was it beautiful?" Who cares about scenery when you're trying to preserve your life and not swear like a sailor while doing so?



























"Did it 'get' your stomach?" What stomach? For 2 minutes you feel like you're in a wind tunnel, except you're falling-and that's at 120mph with a dude strapped to your back trying to take pictures of you. Then you get whipped back up 2 kazillion feet, when the 'chute opens and the word harness takes on a whole new meaning. Corsett, PUSHUP BRA, tribal torture methods of white safari hunters in Tarzan movies flashed into my mind. Who even knows if you have a stomach?

"Would you do it again?" I would do it again-for the same reason I did it this time, but I would be just as scared and my photos would be just as frightening. I would relax and enjoy the ride next time-I'm saying that with my feet firmly planted on the ground, of course. It was "fun" being there with Sara and if my being there increased her enjoyment, it was worth it. I know it increased her laughter!

"Sissy Aunt"? (I love you, too, Jody)"Wanny Baby Mom"? "Dork" and "Nerd"? They don't fit me anymore. I graduated to "COOL" according to my daughter and I can never return!



We (Richard and I, and likely Sara) are taking a cross country motorcycle trip this coming Spring. My dad wants to be in the pilot car, so that along the way, we can pull up to the side of it and he can hand us drinks out the window. Any takers on driving Grandpa's pilot car? Anybody else have any bucket list items they want me to be a part of?

Lady Sponges First

In Tarpon Springs, Florida, they sell "Shells Wholesale to the Public Sponges"! So, we spent the day being "public sponges" with Ruben, Margaret and our grandsons, Andrew, Chris, Sam and Bradley.

The boys are active, lively, hysterically funny, and adorable. The hotel we stayed at in Clearwater Beach had an elevator. The first time the 8 of us approached it, they raced to hit the button. I was thinking surely it was to be the first to enter and prepare for my favorite elevator trick-jump when it begins to descend. I was so wrong.
Sam hit the elevator button, then all four boys lined up along the wall and with a sweeping arm motion, said, "Ladies first."
Not once, not twice, but every time we approached a door, a chair, or a morsel of food. "Ladies first" was the comment.
And then they'd have a burping contest.
Kudos to Ruben and Margaret for raising such well mannered, yet normal boys.






We miss our Georgia boys. We miss being involved in their daily comings and goings. We miss getting to be the fun grandparents. When Richard goes to Florida, and as his time allows, he drives up to Georgia for the weekend. I spend those weekends in Utah feeling jealous, envious, and wishing I was there or that they were here. I think the Grandma Sponge should get her wish more often.