JOHN MADDEN'S TRICKS N' TREATS for (us!) writeousmom & the kidlins
i got a call from my son, halloween morning, at around 7:30am
naturally, i was quite worried, because my son never calls me this early unless
a) he's really sick b) he's i~didn't~finish~my~homework sick
"hi tiger -good morning" i said with concern
"mommy... " (no cough)
"yes. whatz up?"
"well, i was just wonderin'"
"yes"
"can you for sure pick me up at 6 tonight, because i heard that the first 30 kids to john madden's house might get a video game"
i have the sweetest child on earth. just listen to that voice.. that excitement.. that anticipation"honey.. i think that might just be a rumor.. but i will pick you up at 6, and we will for sure go to john madden's house, -k-"
and with my most reassuring mommy voice, we chatted some more, said our goodbyes and went on about our days
some part of me knew it was a rumor.
but optimistic visions passed through my head.. of autographed Wii games getting dropped into giant pillow cases
and if there was any truth to it
i was gonna have my son, and nephew there as early as necessary. why i would camp out on his lawn if i had too
i would.. accidentally trip any ghosts n' goblins that stood in our way..
and i have to leave for work write now, so i'll have to finish this later
or
-it
was just a rumor.
-but we did all go
a whole great big bunch of us,
friends, family, more friends of friends
and the madden family house was not only decorated to the nines with spooky things.. it was decorated to the nines with spooky people
awesome fun!
and when we got to the door
or rather the steps that lead to the door
on the patio were a couple of darling costumed young ladies passing out the biggest candybars our kids have ever seen
GIANT hersheysand we listened in, as mommy's do, to make sure our little trick or treators said, "thank you!"
and ~surprise~ i took a couple pictures
and we were off to hit some more of the general neighborhood
but before, during and after, and write now, i remind people
how john madden is my hero too. but not for the same reason he is my son's hero
not for the same reason he is a hero in the sports world
he is my hero because he lives with his fear
he lives around his fear
he did not spend his life trying to conquer his fear
he got a bus.
you cannot imagine how much i love this about him. i mean, i just, love, love, love this about john madden
and i get jealous sometimes
because i think if i was a strong, big, tall, sportsman, football player type
people would not bother me about conquering my fears. they might just leave me alone. let me be.
and i wonder how many people have said to john madden
"you'll fly again in time...
"you can't let this fear of flying get the best of you...
"you are a conqueror
blah blah blah
in my imagination.. most people just left (just leave) john madden alone.
if he wants to travel by bus.. then by God, he travels by bus.
and this adjustment hasn't adversely affected john madden's career or success one bit
look at his life!
so let that be a lesson
that you don't have to conquer every single f'in fear or thing that bothers you
find your bus. live a great life.
MADDEN, DICKENS, KING by (me!) ~tops
as previously mentioned; i feed on documentaries
and so, the very second they started advertising the ALL MADDEN documentary, which was to air on Christmas Day; i set our TV to record it
we finally got the chance to watch it on Monday evening, December 27th, 2021, which it turns out was his last day alive. -But what an outstanding documentary! And, how blessed.. that it was released, and shared, and treasured by his whole family and the public at large before he did die, on December 28th. He lived an amazing, remarkable, wonderful life..
i couldn't possibly add on to what has already been said or filmed or written..
we have our personal John Madden memories, which we treasure
but, what made me stop. grab a pen, and any blank paper nearby (happen to be the blank page on the back of a Bible on the end table),
what made me stop and rewind and listen again, so i could capture verbatim..
it was Peter King's quote in the documentary; from an article he wrote for sports illustrated in (1999?)
it registers for me personally, as the second greatest quote in all of literature
-first place belongs to Charles Dickens
... it was the best of times, it was the worst of times...
and the reason that is so magnificent and such a stand out, is because no matter when you say it; it's true. Twenty years ago, or ten years from now.. last week, or next month.. -it is always true.
and although Peter King's quote is much wordier; less quotable in general conversation
i still love it, for the same reason
it doesn't matter when you say it; it's true. Twenty years ago, or ten years from now.. last week, or next month.. it will always be true.
here it is:
"What I've learned traveling around is this: People are nice. You go to a big city and you hear the world is going to hell; but it's not true. Small parts of it are, the whole isn't. You get out there and it makes you feel better about America; the thing works"
****
can't tell you how often my sexy and i... we share the same experience with different words.. but Peter King is Write!
we have been to the grocery store who knows how many times.. different restaurants.. hiking trips.. bike rides.. Nevada, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Utah, -every direction in California
and we have not personally encountered all the hate, violence, racism, ugliness which TV news shows, and/or social media broadcast on a 24/7, 365 basis
this is not to say that hate, violence, racism, ugliness in general is not happening; of course it is.
It's just that, if your only lens is the news and/or social media, then you are left with the impression it is much more wide spread, frequent and intense than it is if you get out in the world; see it with your own two eyes, and travel some
so i keep just re-appreciating what Peter King said and wrote..
"What I've learned traveling around is this: People are nice. You go to a big city and you hear the world is going to hell; but it's not true. Small parts of it are, the whole isn't. You get out there and it makes you feel better about America; the thing works"
"Thank You!"
and "Thank You!" John Madden for your positive impact.. magnificent contributions to the NFL, and to the world at large..
and "Thank You!" Charles Dickens.. it is only days away from being year 2022; and it is still! the best of times, and the worst of times
i.e., i pressed a couple buttons on my computer, and had a wooden shelf delivered to my front door; next day!
-during one of the worst pandemics in world history.
***
Let's all keep Thankin' God Jesus was born.. hallelujah & amen.
return to the scene of great times! #carmel #monterey #santanatrow #valleyfair #pruneyard #fashion
glorious dog friendly carmel beach, and look! where he is now... #mondo
one of our favorite! 5 star.. and high, high recommend the mixed grill for a delicious, fun family feast!
luna mexican kitchen, pruneyard, campbell -also dog friendly.
and the high quality, safe, clean & beautiful restaurants/shopping at santana row, san jose
can't beat the outdoor ambiance of el jardin tequila bar; wonderful service, meal & drinks!
with the magnificent valley fair shopping mall write across the street!
and so, let's talk #fashion on one of the days:
my son was sporting, madewell & marine layer; huega house, abercrombie, rainbow sandals
daughters: taryn with steve madden sandals, abercrombie t shirt, hoodie, zara jeans she cut into shorts (like mother, like daughter); anthropologie hand bag..
emma with rainbow sandals also, madewell jeans, abercrombie tank, starlit jacket.. hand bag from target -on a different day, lululemon..
and on one day i wore, #magicofmacys.. shorts & sweattop, perfect beach wear, and the next day too! #magicofmacys skirt, and amazon top.. for santana row shopping day
we loved weaving in and out of the stores at santana row, and valley fair,
ultimately making purchases at free people; madewell, aritzia & vuori..
great shopping experience! and fun family visits..
also, loved our 1st experience at the salty seal,
cannery row, monterey.. burgers were excellent! so was the service and the drinks!
grateful we have our sacred perc ponds as a place to visit too!
-we always remember how hard we had to
fight to save this park from becoming the site for
exhausting! but.. wow! it's a very special place..
****
all of it is tithing.. places we love to tithe..
want to support and thank..
all of it is "thank you Jesus!" prayer;
for our family, for the visits,
for the fun, wonderful places to eat and shop and visit..
vellum days.. back to back wonderful memories!
Iconics LIVE @ Mr Mojitos in San Jose! (micks! & wilsons!) and #fashion
our yard art has helped us meet so many people we would otherwise never meet.. some time ago, a passerby stopped to talk with us out front.. during the conversation -who knows how- but my husband and i mentioned loving live music..
the passerby then, -shares that he is in a band! we learn his name is tom... he lives walking distance away from us.. he's a drummer for the iconics... and he said we could find their calendar of events on facebook, but..
we don't have facebook. -we asked if he would bring a schedule by.. and "Thank You!" very much, because not only did we get to see the iconics live.. a new-to-us band..
but at a venue that we probably would never have visited without the iconics playing there..
and we love your band! and we love the venue! and we loved meeting your family too!
win/win/win...
but since 2025 is all about fashion for me.. shall we:
look at my beautiful friend 'awesome elva!' green tank, beautiful accessories, glamourous hat!
and i was comfortable hitting the dance floor in my floral mesh amazon top.. white large cuff steve madden jeans (macys); and my dansko's.. (nordstroms)
but the really fun fashion talk took place in the womens restroom..
it was while i was actually in my own stall with the door closed but my ears open..
i overheard these ladies.. how do you get your top to stay off your shoulders.. mine always slips back up..
and i was like, through the door... don't go anywhere.. i want in on this conversation... wait for me.
-and they did... and we talked about macys, nordstrom, calvin klein.. /one of the ladies worked for...
and i shared my recent swimsuit rant.. and one lady was about to travel and loved the other ladies outfit.. wish i could wear something like that to...
and she said, i'm the type that would just give this to you... do you want it for your trip?
and, one lady shared about being a breast cancer survivor.. -round of hugs.
and we just chatted up a fashion storm without ever leaving the restroom..
and they seemed really curious about my courage tattoo what does it mean? i've never seen anyone have a tattoo on their face!
and ultimately, we all exchanged some high fives.. trust me here: no one makes it to their 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and beyond without courage. just showing up and knowing how, and being willing to still have fun is deserving of immediate and mutual respect.
and i may never see any one of these beautiful women again.. but we connected via fashion.. and they let me take their picture.. -see how different each outfit is.. each look. each hairstyle.. each sandal..
one of the blessings of getting older is that -along the way- you experiment, experiment.. and find what YOU like on YOU.. you get your very own style & vibe going on in collaboration with what's available to choose from.
"Thank You Fun Fashionable Ladies!"
we had such a wonderful evening... so much fun.
****
will just close by sharing how my husband and i, -we got a laugh out of identifying the different seasons of our life..
in our individual youths.. we danced from 9pm to 2am.. and still went to work the next, -that day.
when we met, in our 50's, at barones in pleasanton, music under the stars: 5pm-10pm..
now, 60-ish.. at mr mojitos in san jose.. 6pm-9pm...
and we are fulfilled. "cheers! & amen!" #vellumdays
Courtyard Marriott, NFL, CH = by (me!) sandra
top few CH's:
Dinner
Mint -hardest, longest laughter
there are more
but requires time to search
which
/already running late for..
"!?!?!" I have 3.2 seconds to shower and get going
amen
Woman thou art loosed! Says (t.d. jakes) to (me?).. Sandra, tvgp
I said, "are you sure God wants to loose someone like (me!)... -could be dangerous...
***
And there are many moments competing for a spot here on my blog.. But two rising above all the others:
1. Sister rosemary being interviewed by my charlie rose.. A must see! Must see! My heart -whole heart is with these lost girls.. And I will be there physically too in the nearing future.. And say again, again, again... (Especially in light of the 2nd interview).
"PEOPLE! ... SLAVERY HAS NOT
NOT! NOT! NOT!
BEEN ABOLISHED. IT THRIVES UNDER A NEW NAME:
HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
And much more to say but! On hold to share.. How utterly comforting to learn.. Our sister rosemary.. (A current day she-roe of Harriett Tubman spirit)...
Did I hear correctly? -has a caterpillar phobia. Yes! Didn't even want to talk about it..
And yet she fights evil of the grandest scale...
Warlords.. To their doom! -caterpillars.. Yikes!
So of course now I KNOW! My own phobias are exclusive to what they are.. And will hardly prevent me from joining the team of freedom fighters to help save these girls..
/which potentially leads to a revisit of my thoughts about john madden and how we each need to find our bus...
But! I am skipping many things to two thumb type to you instead about .... Oh! If ever, ever, ever I could have captured a facial expression on film!
'Cuz me n' Cortney were busy processing and pricing kitchen items to merchandise in the store..
It is the type of work which allows you to talk at the same time..
So we were talking.. And somehow the conversation turned to the topic of smoking..
And she told some related stories.. /herself never with the habit.. But of
some loved ones who currently smoke and are trying to quit..
And I told about how God helped liberate me.. Get that monkey off my back..
And then I had her read my Leonard's blog called 'cigs'. -and my comments, - because don't you know I think I was pretty darn funny that day..
And we talked about what brand her mom smoked.. And!
How WILD is this?!?.... Write in the midst of this conversation Cortney opens one of the kitchen containers and ...PULLS OUT A SEALED PACK OF THE EXACT BRAND OF CIGARETTES WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT.. From China or something..
Oh! Her face!... What are the chances?...
We tripped off this for a good stretch.. And every time she made her, -I don't know how to describe it.. Astonished face..
It gave me the giggles.. She is so funny and animated anyway..
But of course I eventually said,
"Hey! Let's start talking about money!$!"
-wild moment for sure... I can process it 3 ways:
1. A sign!
2. A coincidence!
3. A very clever manipulation!
..but ..it was great fun regardless...
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