Sonic is putting Whoppers in Milkshakes!

Marketing people of Sonic Drive In have a problem! Example here is the discussion in our car the other night while waiting at an intersection for the light to change. Lieber says to the crew, “Did you see Sonic Drive In’s are putting Whoppers in their Chocolate Shakes. (This is the sign Lieber is referencing in her announcement is second from the left.)
Within seconds from the back seat, the 9 year old, Boodles of Baking announces from the back of the vehicle. “That is Naaaaaassssssstttttty, why would you ever put Whoppers in your Milkshake. (Here is what Boodles is talking about.)
For a moment the comment hangs in the air. Lieber means Whoppers, malted milk balls candy, Boodles is things about the product that comes from Burger King. The laughter as everyone figures out what is said absolutely cracks up the whole car. By the reaction I do not believe that Boodles will ever try the mixture. First impressions go a long way.

Writing Down the things kids say!

Our family has “The Book”. Not to be confused with the Good Book. This version of The Book contains those precious verbal moments. As the kids are growing up they say the darndest things. Start writing them down in a safe secure place. The challenge as the kids get older and we, the parents, want to discuss (bring up) the tidbits or repeat them in front of friends and family, the parental perk of non violent punishment, memory does not always serve the purpose. So, begin to write it down today.

We have developed a family keeper of the book. This is our Mimi. My wife’s mother started writing down the verbal tidbits years ago. When she had to evacuate due to multiple hurricanes, The Book, was always one of the first items that was loaded into the vehicle. Start your version of “The Book” today.

Kids will want you to be able to share the things they did as they grow up. Parents you will need proof because the little people that can’t remember to make a bed, clean a room, or do their chores will have perfect clarity in thought and mind of what took place on any given event. They will also have the legal precedence that overturns your memory of the situation. Maybe “The Book” is what the teachers were telling me about when they said, “This will be on your permanent record.”

I am going to start a separate section of the Busy Dad Mumbles Blog that captures some of those verbal gifts under “The Book.” I hope you enjoy as much as I did, do, and will.

Martha MacGyver

Folks, I have to tell you how lucky I am. On November 9, my lovely wife and I will celebrate 16 years of marriage. She has always been social, resourceful, loving and patient.

She has always been talented yet, in the last few weeks her talents have been on display and a new nickname is beginning to develop, “Martha MacGyver.” To explain the context – MacGyver was a television show where the main character, Richard Dean Anderson was able to extract himself from almost any dire situation with a pocket knife, duct tape, and basic household materials.

A nickname the spouse has been referred to by family and friends for years is “Martha”, this short for Martha Stewart. The goddess of entertaining, crafts, and a force in all that is homey and festive. Spouse with her own business adds the nice and kind to the business magnate part of Martha. Crafty, talented, and inventive.

Now a combination of the two nicknames to “Martha MacGyver.” Let me give some examples of what I mean, Jen killed two flies with a pop of a dish towel when unable to quickly locate the flyswatter. (MyGyveresk)

This morning she restrung an adjustable waist band of a child’s pants that had been pulled out like a removable belt. Yet, it was not to be removed! Using only a bamboo skewer, while talking to the family about meals for the week, she restrings the broken pants and has them as good as new.

Repairing cameras, game boys, computer games, adjusting bicycles, fixing hair dos are all in the repertory and repairing husbands Bluetooth when it just quit.

In the last few weeks while I’m at work she used a nail gun to hang trim in the basement. She walked by a craft table looked at a book cover than went home and sewed one from scratch. Two friends saw her toile version of the product and bingo. She has people wanting her to make their Christmas gifts.

These are just a few of the examples. Over the years there have been many times were the skills have been on display. We just didn’t know what to call it until recently, Martha MacGyver

Introducing Americans to America

At lunch we were discussing what part of the country people are from. Alabama, Arkansas, Virginia. A team member said, “I am from Brooklyn, New York.” The “southern” team members said, “Oh! A Yankee!

To which the New York Team member replied, “No a Mets fan!”

Now the correct adjective was not included in the sentence. However, this was initially overlooked since the Yankee didn’t even know she was a Yankee.

The laughter at the table was well received followed by confusion. A short history lesson, explanation of the Mason/Dixon Line followed, the description of the correct southern adjective of "Damn" was explained, and then more talk about the regional differences of the United States.

Granted, I am not the sharpest tool in the shed. My knowledge of Literature fails me on Trivial Pursuit. But, sometimes I am shocked at the lack of knowledge of our own social make up and historical context.

It was a fun lunch.

Random Act of Kindness - Passing it Forward

My fellow citizens of the Web. It is time to put basic decency back on display. There is an insurance company advertisement on T.V that shows people helping each other. One person keeps a pizza delivery person from walking into on coming traffic. A lady keeps the kids ball from rolling into the street. My point is we have reached the point where it is time to play well with others.

Heading home last night I saw a young man hauling a gas can walking up the road in the dark and cold. Well, the Boy Scout in me couldn’t stand it. I turned around and headed back on the highway. I identified myself, told him where I worked, and then asked if I could give him a ride. The look on his face told the whole story. He said, well, sure! He loaded the full gas can into the back of my car. I asked him how far we need to go. When he indicated five miles I couldn’t believe it. Long story short I gave him a ride, waited to make sure his car started. The young man was thrilled.

The young man asked if he could pay me or help me out. (Are you kidding?) All I asked was that he passes forward the kindness to someone else who needed assistance.

The tough part of the story was that the young man had to walk the five plus miles to the gas station because no one would give him a ride. I understand we need to be safe but can’t we help a fellow human being out????

What can you do to play well with others, pass on a kindness? What is your story?

You can see other RAK (random Acts of Kindness) over at The Wilson Six.

It is the Third Weekend in October

We are now prepared for the Great Orange Pumpkin to come down from the North to visit all the good children. As Charlie Brown awaits the arrival of….. Oops! That big Orange is Tennessee. Coach Fulmer and his band of Volunteers are making a visit to the land of Crimson! This rivalry has been going on since 1901. Alabama leads the series 44-38-7 all time. Coach Fulmer is 11-3 all time versus the Tide.

And what on Earth do my eyes see! Forty-one to Seventeen! That is 41 to 17 in Tuscaloosa. Coach Saban is now 1-0 against the Vols. Alabama now leads the series 45-38 – 7. Coach F – gets clobbered this year. See you next year, maybe! Roll Tide, Go Bama!




Purple Dragons Update

It’s all about execution. The young Warriors were on Tuesday evening. The guys played Iron-Man Flag Football again, we had no substitutes. They played great. The defense was very strong. The young guys came right out of the gate pulling flags. Four different young men pulled flags. Guys who only had one flag in our seven games pulled multiple flags in this game. I was proud of the Purple Dragons defense.

Coach Vernon was joining us on the field since we had no substitutes to manage. He helped call plays and place players. We all had a great time. The guys all knew we were putting together a full package for the opponents.

Every one of our seven ran the ball, played quarterback or tried to catch a pass. Coach B’s reverse was a smash hit. A couple of our guys are really getting prepared for the next level of football. We saw some performances that show a tremendous gain in confidence and skill since week one. We coaches have finally figured it out! The players have developed well also. Two more games to go.

Get your Chicken Now!

For those of you out there that have not experienced Chick-fil-a, you are missing a treat! The mostly in the south chain of restaurants, has a great menu. Chicken sandwiches, good milkshakes, and, a moment of silence…..Great Sweet Iced Tea!

The marketing folks of this organization want you. (My Mom also wanted you to know about this! So, I’m a Blogging! Cause Momma Said So!) Between now and November 17 they are running a contest. This allows me to combine great food and football. Go to 40winners.com to attempt to win. You could win a trip to the ACC, SEC or Big 12 Football Championship where each trip winner will have a chance to compete to win up to $1 million dollars and Free Chick-fil-a food for a year. (I don’t know why you would want to go to anything but the SEC championship but you have the option.)

So, get your fingers working. Chick-fil-A….they didn’t invent the Chicken, just the Chicken Sandwich. They also have some great ads. OH! And the Sweet Tea.
Auburn versus LSU
Naval Officer Ben, Katherine, Hayden, and Abigale, would like to wish you “War Eagle.” We hope you are getting to see the game this evening. We all know you and Matt will be routing for the Bengal Tigers from Baton Rouge. Should be a good one!

This should be interesting. We get to battle a couple of times over the next three weeks.

Political Rant

What in the World are they doing in Washington? My fellow Americans, it is time to clean House and Senate! This is like a week of watching another planet.

We have Senators that are being investigated by the FBI, there is another who can’t decided whether he did it or not, and we have a third who is under investigation. The Senate Ethics Committee goes so slow it moves backwards.

The House is not Legislating. Executive isn’t getting it done and the Judicial, that system is broken. It is like a Constitutional three stooges. Each time one of the talking heads that represents one of the bodies of government speaks I can almost Larry, Moe and Curly, poking each other in the eye, smacking each other on the head or just messing up another fine situation. (Nyuk, Nyuk, Nyuk)

To recap, this group hasn’t decided on its operating budget, they have decided to tell other countries that what happened in their past was genocide, and they faced off over a program for children’s health care that hasn’t been budgeted for and at this rate it will expire in a couple of weeks.

The worst part of this is watching the cast of characters that wants to run the Executive Branch in the up coming election. It is like picking the last kids for dodge ball when you were a kid. If they were good it would be easy. We are actually trying to figure out who can do the least amount of damage.

We need to develop a coalition form of government. Either, Or just isn’t a choice. Maybe Richard Pryor’s Movie Brewster’s Millions developed the best option – Vote! None of the Above!

During a development day at work we had the chance to play a fun game. Mad Gab. The phrases are called mondegreens. A phrase containing small words that when put together make a new word or phrase. For example, "These If Hill Wore" when pronounced quickly sounds like "The Civil War."

Mad Gab is a game created by Mattel. We laughed and enjoyed our time. It is even funnier when you have discovered the meaning of the phrase and you hear other team members continuing to repeat the phrase over and over. Lots of fun.

I’m heading to Wal-Mart to find it this weekend.

Wordless Wednesday - Just us Guys

There Ain’t Nothing Like it No Where

With apologies to the Marketing people at Dreamland Ribs, Southeastern Conference Football, There Ain’t Nothing Like it No Where. Watching on Television is one way to enjoy, but for those who haven’t been to a game, check the calendars, pack the vehicle and get your game on! By the way these are Pork ribs we will be enjoying today! Um, fresh Hog! The whole Wilson crew attended the Auburn versus Arkansas game in Fayetteville, Arkansas, yesterday. What a great experience!

By arriving early we found Tiger Walk. This is the Auburn tradition of a pep rally as the players walk into the stadium. The Minister and Queen were in heaven. So were the rest of us. We were among Alabama people. This is the highest privilege. We talked to people who understand sweet tea, the location of Anniston, and they don’t wrinkle there nose when referred to as ma'am or sir. Princes Dabba and Boodles, (a die hard, Alabama fan), got caught up in the excitement of the events. We met some great people and experienced their generosity first hand.
Queen did find the Auburn band, it came to her! The pep band with about 45 people in it walks up to support the Tiger Walk. Queen and I walk over to meet the trombone players and see if she can make a connection on the Auburn fight song music. Bingo! These folks are wonderful. They are very excited that there is a person at the game interested in their skill and to know that Queen loves the school made it better. After a short conversation, e-mail addresses are exchanged, high fives, and music for a part are in the hands of the Queen, more to follow by e-mail. My thanks to the Auburn Band members for encouraging the continued development of the Queen’s music skill. (This even made this Grinch’s Crimson Heart grow just a little softer or more orange!)

The day was beautiful, warm, clear, and breezy. The game didn’t start until 6:45 p.m. The Minister of Plain pointed out this was very close to his bed time as we walked to the game. Princess Dabba was a trooper. She walked, she “War Eagled”, (for non-Auburn people, this is the beginning of every interaction even the casual, if the shirt looks orange and/or blue, so sling it out there, if the appropriate return response is given, that is “War Eagle” you have found an instant friend.), she played, she sang, and she shook the heck out of some pom poms. Being four finally caught up with the little princess while sitting in my lap with 11:28 to go in the fourth quarter. (Pictures to follow) The sound o meter at the stadium was rocking and she was snooooozing. Didn’t move a muscle. Then just as Auburn wins the game. She arises from her nap for the post game festivities, waving at Aubie, seeing the band, and the walking back to the car.

Remember Minister's comment about the late hour of the game? As two F-18 fighter jets pass overhead at the start of the game he quickly became unconcerned with the time. He and I were seated together to start the game. We had guy time! Talking about the hits, reviewing offensive and defensive formations, and he pointed out the skill of the cheerleaders, he liked the jumbo TV above the scoreboard. There were questions about hooking up X-box to something that large. I couldn’t tell if the cheerleaders or the television was getting more attention. At the end of the game a very amped up excited young man says this is the best day of my whole life. Now, it doesn’t get any better than that! (The Crimson Grinch’s Heart stretched yet again!)

Boodles during the game moved with the Queen down to sit with me and Minister. Lieber and Princess initially were 8 rows up behind us. Arkansas has a strange Public Address announcer…After the team covers ten yards. He says, “That play covered X yards, that is enough for an Arkansas Razorback…” And 68,000 people scream back, “First Down”. Boodles begins to laugh hysterically. There seems to be a message in the tone of the delivery of the crowd, it had to be subliminal in nature since it didn’t happen a lot. Boodles, being the person who is all about fair play and good sportsmanship, except when siblings are involved, asks as Auburn gets a first down why didn’t the announcer make the same comment for Auburn? Quickly, she knew the answer! So, a little fun was had. As Arkansas would get to the end of a series of downs the Auburn fans, about 4,000 of them would response with, “That play didn’t cover the X yards needed, so we have an Arkansas Razorback, and Boodles sings loudly, “fourth down.” The grin on her face, made the stadium light up for me. Back to the fair play, Boodles, (now carrying enough Auburn shakers to sink a ship), as we leave the stadium is telling Arkansas fans, “Nice game”! I wish I would have had a camera to capture the reaction of the vanquished. A number of people smiled. One man, who was sharing his explicative filled opinion with the world, had nothing to say. He smiled and nodded! (We are back at the Grinch’s heart again!)

Leiber and I loaded the crew in the vehicle and patiently waited to leave. All change into snoozing gear. There was discussion about the game, phone calls to friends and family, Observations about the departing crowd, the process of leaving, and the day, were made by all. Eventually, Lieber and I were the only occupants of the vehicle able to withstand the ride home. A great day was had by all. (We began discussing attending the Alabama vs. Auburn game on the weekend of Thanksgiving, in Auburn, Alabama in November. (The Grinch’s heart leapt with Crimson hope!) Liber drove the last 15 minutes of the trip home.