OPENING OF ANOTHER FRED'S . . .

We have a longtime local favorite restaurant in Fort Worth called Fred's. It has been described as a complete dive. Its decor is very eclectic. It sports gold vinyl barstools with duct tape holding the seats together, plastic patio furniture and has what is likely the most charming patio area in Fort Worth, simply due to its completely unpretentious atmosphere that's both strappy sandal and flip-flop friendly. Fred's is named after the family dog, who belonged to the owner and chef Terry Chandler and just like the faithful companion, Fred's remains loyal to its patrons by refusing to adjust to the modern market surrounding it. Fred's has even been featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive Ins and Dives". Everyone from doctors, executives, cowboys and rockers agree that Fred's has some of the best hamburgers around and love to sit on the patio in the evenings and listen to live music, eat their burgers and have their beer.

Well, like so many other restaurants in town, Fred's has decided to expand and has opened a second one called "Fred's North" and it is run by my son-in-law's brother-in-law, Quincy (Doug's sister, Melynda, is also helping out in addition to her full-time job). I was privileged a few months ago to be invited to the soft opening of Fred's North.

While it is located in a strip shopping center and the building is new they are trying to bring it down to the level of the original Fred's. Melynda even said that they will have the gold vinyl on seats and barstools in the near future.

Family and friends were invited to sample anything on the menu and enjoy the atmosphere - we were able to choose which time we wanted to attend and I decided on Saturday afternoon. Doug and Melynda's Dad and brother, Robert, would be there along with my daughter, Doug and the grandchildren.

Quincy has worked for Fred's for years and continues to, not only be co-owner of Fred's North, but oversees the operation at the original Fred's.

Miss Kylie calls him the "Q Man" and loves for Quincy to pick her up and show her some attention.

Doug's sister, Melynda, spoils the little ones like crazy.

Miss Wesley came all dolled up for her first outing at Fred's North.

As you can see she really wanted to get a taste of the chicken friend steak her daddy ordered. It was huge - two people could have made a meal out of it and had some left over to take home.

The little man was in awe of the decor and all the "wild" animal heads hanging around.

This is a picture of the Q Man back in the days he did the rodeo. A few years ago he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis so he has had to cutback on some of his activities.

With three little ones it is easier to have one adult and one child together, that way you can make sure they get enough to eat. I helped our little princess and my daughter took Miss Wesley, while daddy handled the little man.

It so happened that the day the soft opening was held it was also Robert's birthday so Melynda had a cake waiting to help in the celebration. Of course, Kylie could hardly wait to taste it.

Luke, on the other-hand, was wondering what that large drink was that Robert had ordered.

While Miss Wesley tried and tried to reach food from her daddy's plate.

I wish Quincy and Melynda God's blessings on their new adventure and plan on visiting again soon.

A GRANDMOTHER'S NIGHTMARE . . .

It was a very hot Texas day, 105 in the shade, and Lyly was in a hurry to get the grandchildren to swimming lessons about 35 minutes south of where she lived. First she had to drop off baby Wesley at her mother's house and then hurry back to Miss Shelly's for the start of the 5pm lessons. She pulled through the gate at Shelly's house, parked under a large shade tree, turned off the car, took the keys from the ignition, placed them in the cup holder beside her, and opened the driver's door. The door closed behind her and she turned to open the rear van door to let Kylie and Luke out of their car seats - the door was locked. She turned back to open the driver's side door so she could release the lock on the back door but much to her surprise and horror the door was locked also.

You have to understand that this was her daughter's car which she would keep anytime she had errands to do or needed to transport all three children to school, doctor appointments, etc. Lyly's car was different - any time you had all the doors locked, you removed the key from the ignition and opened the driver's side door that door would remain unlocked until you locked it again. Not this car.

Another family pulled up just as Lyly discovered all the doors were locked and her cell phone was locked inside too. The dad, Andrew, got out and asked if everything was okay and was told that the grandchilren were locked inside the hot car and she had no way of calling for help. He kindly let her use their cell phone to call 911. After what seemed like a hour (but was only about 15 -20 minutes), and a lot of prayers, the fire department showed up. They worked on trying to get the car unlocked but with two children, 4 years old and 2 years old, screaming and crying in the backseat, they decided it was time to break a window.

Thank the good Lord they were safe. Luke was the first one to be released and came immediately into my arms, hugging me tightly; however, one look at the huge fire truck that was there, he forgot about everything that had just happened. Kylie was brought out and held by one of the firemen and she too could only stare at the fire truck. You see their PaPa was a retired fireman and this was the first time they had seen a fire truck up close and personal.

After a drink of cold water they were ready to go into the pool for their lessons. It is amazing how fast children can bounce back from something so frightening; however, it took me much longer.

I have never experienced anything so scary in all my life and hope to never experience it again. Thank goodness for the help and support that the other parents gave to me and for the goodness of God who kept the children safe and unharmed during this mishap.

MEMORIAL DAY IN THE "FOREST" . . .

This year I stayed at home on Memorial Day and worked around the house. However, my daughter, son-in-law and their children decided to go south of the Metroplex to spend the day with one of Erin's co-workers and some of their friends. Kylie told me that they were going to the forest - it seems like there are a lot of trees on the ranch property. They have a stock pond where the cows hangout and the children could play in the water.

There was also a 4-wheeler that Doug got to drive around and he took each child for a ride. Miss Kylie thinks she is so big pretending like she is driving it.

Here they come heading toward the mom and the camera.

Next it was the little man's turn to try it out.

All the little girls got to ride in the back of the other 4-wheeler while the boys were off on the other one.

Luke and Jessie decided to try and fit into a little tub, guess they were pretending to be swimming.

All the little ones enjoying their nice cold watermelon.

My daughter, Erin (on the right), and two of her little ones. Sure does look they are very hot on this spring/summer afternoon.

This is Melissa, one of Erin's high school friends and our baby Wesley.

Seems like a nice way to celebrate Memorial Day - with friends and family and a little trip out of town.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA . . .

Hope everyone has a relaxing and safe 4th of July.

DAY AT GREAT GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE . . .

A few weeks ago I took the little ones down to see my mother and my brother for the day. My sister had taken off work for a few days and so they were able to spend sometime with her as well. In order to keep them entertained we decided to take them to a park in Cleburne. Of course, it is Texas and you would think that at this time of the year (early part of June) that the weather would be wonderful - a perfect Spring day - but alas we never had Spring this year. We went right from Winter into Summer.

We decided to go early in the day so it wouldn't be so hot - off we went. Three ladies, one in their 80s, one in their 60s and one in their 50s with three children, 3-1/2, 2 and 9 months. Crazy women.

Baby Wesley loved the swing. She just sits a laughs the whole time and what little hair she has stands straight up.

Great Aunt Kathy had to take a little break from swinging her. Wesley could swing for hours if someone had the time and energy to keep pushing.

Kylie loves the slide. She delights in trying each one out to see which one is the best and most fun.

She also loves to climb but this play ground toy was a little too much for her.

She was holding on for dear life.

The little man didn't want to leave the swings and was a little upset by the whole thing.

 

However, going down the slide a time or two seemed to satisfy him.

Of course, he saw his big sister climbing on the dinosaur and just had to follow suit. Notice the dirty face. Mother said that the minute he got to the play ground he started throwing the dirt in the air and naturally most of it landed on his darling little face. He is all boy.

Luke so wanted to touch the ducks but they just didn't want to cooperate. The minute he got close to them off they would waddle.

Other than the swing there wasn't much for the little one to do but to sit in the stroller, suck her paci and watch the big kids have fun.

On the way out of the park we had to stop so that Luke could have his picture made with his auntie and the buffalo. All in all it was a good way to spend the morning with the people you love.

SCHOOL IS OUT . . .

Boy I didn't realize it had been almost a month since I had done any blogging. I sometimes wonder where the time goes but watching 3 little ones everyday makes me realize that I really don't have much time for anything else. MDO ended the last of May and each of the kids' teachers gave them pictures to remember the year by - I loved them.

This one is of Miss Kylie and her class. The last day they had what they called "Western Day" so some of the children dressed up in their western outfits. They had hay rides, petting zoo, pony rides and a picnic.

Miss Kylie's first pony ride and she loved it.

This is the little man, Luke, who the teacher say is always happy (with the exception of a meltdown once in a while) and loving. You can tell he really loves life and all that it has to offer him at this time.

Luke was totally fascinated with the goats and sheep. He delights in checking everything out for himself and doesn't seem to be afraid of anything.

This summer they are attending MDO for 6 weeks and could hardly wait for it to start again. The theme for this summer is children's books. The first week was "Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?" and they were to bring their favorite bear with them to school. The second week is "Make Way for Ducklings" and they are to wear their swimsuits. The third week is "If You Give a Moose A Muffin". The fourth week is "Carl's Afternoon in the Park" and they will have bounce houses to play in along with a picnic. The fifth week is "Goodnight Moon" and they will be watching a movie at the drive-in and they are to bring a decorated laundry basket to use as their car. The sixth week is "The Carrot Seed" and it is silly day at MOD. They are to wear something silly.

I love the MDO program at this church. The teachers are wonderful and the children learn so much, especially about Jesus and His love for them.

DEAR FRIENDS . . .

A month or so ago, my friend, Dory, called and invited me to meet her and her sister Ann for lunch one Saturday afternoon. Ann lives in the LA area and was here for the weekend. Dory and I worked together for several years before she moved on to something bigger and better. While we were co-workers Dory turned 40 and Annie decided to take her to Italy for her 40th birthday and I was invited to go along. There are no words to tell you what fun we had and just how thankful I was to be included on this trip of a lifetime.

I was very anxious to see Annie since it had been a year or so since we had had a chance to visit. Much to my delight Dory brought her children along too. Cade and Dani have grown up so much since I last saw them and what fun we all had catching up on all the events in our lives.

This is my friend, Dory and her daughter, Dani. Dory says that she is all girlie-girlie. Loves clothes, jewelry and cheerleading.

This is her son, Cade. What a little man he is. When Cade was about two and Dani was just a baby, I fly out to California with the kids and Dory so that I could help her on the plane. What a trip but what fun we had once we arrived in LA. As I sat and looked at Dani and Cade it was hard to believe that so much time had passed since I last saw them.

This is Ann (Annie) and what a dear person she is and a wonderful sister/aunt to Dory and her family. I was sorry that Annie's husband, Curt, couldn't be there with us but maybe some day soon I can go out to visit them.

What a wonderful time I had with these dear friends. Hope it isn't as long before we can visit again.