PhotoHunt Theme: Aftermath

Deja vu - didn't this just happen to us?

What's left of our Christmas Snowman!
We knew we were going to have record breaking high temps the Saturday after Christmas. I didn't think anything of it. Our snow quickly melted - I didn't think anything of it. Grandpa and the boys were at Charles helping with a project - they didn't think anything of it. I was home sitting on the computer. I was just about to enjoy all the wonderful PhotHunt pictures for the week's theme when it happened. The rains started - not a nice gentle rain - no, it was coming down in buckets. OMG, it was like I got punched in the gut. I threw on my coat and ran outside - we were in bad trouble - dangerously bad trouble! There was so much water and with the frozen ground there was nowhere for it to go - except into the house! In a panic I called the men home!



Diverting the water toward the river.
They got the first pump going but it couldn't work fast enough. The second pump wouldn't even start. So it was an emergency run to the local hardware. Of course the store sold out of pumps that morning - figures doesn't it! So off to the next town. Luckily that harware still had a few. Junior arrived home with the new pump only to discover it didn't come with the piece to connect to the hose. So it was a race to Ace a second time.


Waiting for the second pump.
Just in the nick of time. The second pump was put into action. Slowly the water came down to a safe level.


Our neighbor Paul watches Charles work on the second pump.
Our poor neighbor arrived home from his work too late - his home had already taken on water. If it wasn't for the men working for many hours in the rain we would have also.


The AFTERMATH: A dry home thanks to my four heroes!

Toy Hunt: Small Toy/s

I have quite a few "Small" toys - I picked out my three "smallest" to share with you. This Elephant and Mahout is slightly bigger than a penny. I have no clue if he was a Cracker Jack prize, gum ball toy, found in a Christmas cracker - I just don't know.


There is a wheel on the bottom. When pushed along the Mahout bobs up and down.


I think this is supposed to be Disney's Pluto but I am guessing it's a look alike.


You can see the loop by his nose where you can attach a string - he walks amazingly well with perfect balance. Even if he's not really Pluto he's a fun part of my collection.


Just had to include a member of the Peanuts Gang - this vintage Charlie Brown finger puppet.

The best part of collecting "small" toys is that they take up very little space. That is unless you are one out of control collector - nah, not me! (Hee, hee!)

A Double Dose of Hope

On January 20th Americans will receive a double dose of HOPE as Barack Obama and Joe Biden are inaugurated. Most media attention is focused on the president-elect. But, we must remember that the vice president-elect is our #2 man and will be working closely with Obama as he leads the country towards a better future. The days and months ahead are going to be very difficult. God bless them and guide them both in their endeavors.

My sister-in-law Becky gave me permission to post this picture she & her niece had taken with Joe Biden. She included this note: "Diane and I had our photo taken 2 years ago with Joe Biden. Diane hadn't ever met a politician, and he was her first. I didn't really even want to go to the dinner that night, but I am glad I did, so I could introduce her to him. He's so friendly and fun to talk to. He found out she worked for Head Start, and took her face in his hands and praised her for doing it. He said," God bless you for taking care of those kids". She just beamed with pride! I always say, "Everybody should have one Democrat in the family, to take care of us when we get old."

Photo Credit: Anita Campbell, Des Moines, Iowa

PhotHunt Theme: Hope

America's "HOPE"
Our country's Hope for the future relies on our President elect Barack Obama. He has a tough road ahead - Godspeed him on his journey!

And who is that distinguished looking gentelman standing with Barack Obama? It's my brother! John is very involved with politics in Des Moines, Iowa. He worked diligently for the Democratic Party during the election.

This is the first time I am posting a picture for Photohunt that I didn't take myself. I credit my sister-in-law Becky for this wonderful picture of Hope! She said it was "A proud Moment!"

For more photos and this week's PhotoHunt check out tnchick.com.

Toy HUNT (Toy/s with Wheels)

Charles and Di gave me this Simpsons Springfield Elementary School Bus one year for Mother's Day. They gave Di's Mom two rose bushes. So, what does this say about the two Grandmas?


Di's Mom keeps a neat, tidy home. She loves to garden and her flowers flourish.
Frugal Grandma is a certified nut case clutter bug collector of fine and vintage toys and she hates to garden.


At any rate, this is one of my favorite toys with wheels which includes Otto, Bart, Millhouse, Ralph and Martin.

And you thought toys were only for kids - ha!

To see more toys with wheels check out whenmomtalks.com.

A Contest Winner!

Wow, I won a contest. Or, I should say, I was one of the winners over at totallyfreecrap.com. All I had to do was brag about totallyfreecrap on my blog and link to it. Since I had already thanked the site for freebies in my Christmas post I thought oh what the heck, I'll enter the competition. Figured I wouldn't win anything but, hey, maybe someone might discover my blog.


Well, a few days later I learned I had won a prize! And what did I win? A totallyfreecrap.com mirror! Wow, I have never won anything before - just too cool! And a couple days later the postman delivered my cute little pocket mirror. Will I use it? No, it's now on my "Cool Things" shelf in the computer room - gotta display my fabulous prize ya know!

Totallyfreecrap really is a great site for acquiring Freebies. You don't always get what you sign up for. Manufactures only have a set amount to give away and requests often exceed the supply. Still, it's worth the try. After all, what could be better than "FREE".

Toy Hunt Theme: Toy/s received on Christmas Day

I told Santa not to bring me any toys this year but to give Beth, Wullie and Henry a few extra presents Christmas morning. He agreed, but he surprised me anyway with these cute items in my stocking - a little sock coin purse, a Winnie the Pooh glitter pen (lights up when you use it), and a white chocolate snowman.


Beth got this huge gumball bank. We will encourage her to SAVE money. And Wullie is opening the nice tool kit we found at a garage sale. Handyman skills come in mighty handy and he will learn from the best teachers - his Daddy and Grandpa!

See all the toys that Santa delivered at Toy Hunt.