The Dynamic Duo

Well, UltraFans, a lot has happened since my last post. The pond, for the time being, is, as they say “Yesterday’s Newspaper.” What is today’s news, you ask? Why, UltraDad’s new-to-him pickup, of course.
But before I give UltraDad and his new vehicle center stage, lets back up for a moment to July 11, 2007 and focus, for a paragraph or two on UltraMom’s birthday. She does so love her birthdays, doesn’t she?
The day started off with great promise; while checking my e-mail, who should I find on Skype, but that oldest Ultra-Son of mine. Now, once upon a time, in the Land of the Rising Sun, UltraMom, UltraBob, UltraGirl, UltraHeather and UltraUltraGirl’sBrother were doing a little Karoke together. The evening’s festivities began with UltraBob doing a rendition of The Red Hot Chili Pepper’s, “Soul to Squeeze.” UltraMom was blown away; I mean I knew that son of mine could sing a little, but this was fantastic. Several times after that night I pleaded, whined and otherwise made my wishes known: “All I want for my birthday is a recording of you singing that first song from karaoke.” It seems that for once in his young life, UBob had taken my words to heart and that morning in an audio file, he sent me the song. “It’s also on a CD,” he explained on the phone a few moments later. “You should be receiving it soon in the mail.” I did, that very day. It was every bit as good as I remembered, and I have now listened to it approximately 150 times. All of my friends, relatives and casual acquaintances agree that it is superb, including Ubob’s siblings, which is high praise indeed. I am awaiting the next release with breathless anticipation, and can only hope it will include UltraGirl’s performance of that old Carpenter’s tune “Top of the World.”
While chatting with the Ultras that morning, a rare treat indeed, I suddenly remembered that I had a haircut appt in exactly 35 minutes, and I was still in my jammies. It takes me 30 minutes to make the drive to ‘Tangles”, where Paula is becoming increasingly skillful at learning what I and my hair are like. No time for a shower; quick sponge bath, throw on some clothes and out the door, as my phone rings again. It’s my brother Dan and sister in law Mary calling to wish me… you know. “I’ll call you back in a few,” I promise, running out the door.
Once in the car, my cell phone rings. Sister in law Jane (married to the other brother, Dave) calling to wish me….well, you know. Before the day was out, I would have talked to, or had messages from all of my siblings and their spouses, all of my offspring and their wives/and or girlfriends. I’m sure I would also have talked to their boyfriends if they hadn’t had to work that evening. Brother Dave left me multiple messages hoping to earn credit for most birthday messages left, but had stiff competition from sisters Francie and Panther. I felt totally loved and connected; almost worth turning 53.
After the haircut, I moseyed on down to the college to see if my 30 year old transcripts had yet arrived. They were finally able to locate them when I finally remembered that back in those days my last name had been different.. Hmmm.. not too bad. I was smarter than I had thought: a 3.65 for three semesters. My gpa had been brought down a bit by classes such as ‘bowling’ and ‘skiing’. Of course, my calculus, french and biology might be a bit rusty after this many years.
Lunch was a real treat. Pat met me in Elko and bought me lunch at The Star, a local Basque restaurant that serves the best steak sandwiches on the planet. The fries and salad aren’t too bad either. After a quick stop at the Seahorse Aquarium so Pat could purchase a couple of new additions for her fish tank, and the obligatory stop at Walmart, it was time to head home. UltraMom had a job to go to.
Normally, Wednesday is my day off, but sometimes I can opt to work a Wednesday and take another day, say Friday or Monday off instead. This weekend I would be taking off both a Friday and a Monday, so working today seemed a good idea. Besides, I knew my inmate employees, Randy and Brain, would want to wish me a happy….you know.
At Walmart, I had purchased a small cake from the sale basket; it even said “Happy Birthday” across the top, so I brought it to work, and we all enjoyed it. Earlier in the week, Randy and Brain had brought me a birthday cake of their own. This culinary confection was a square of banana-walnut bread frosted with sweetened peanut butter. If you think this sounds delicious, you are absolutely right. I also received a poster-sized ‘birthday card.” In the center is a beautifully drawn and shaded orange butterfly surrounded by green-stemmed flowers with white petals. Many of the inmates (and one officer!) wrote personal birthday greetings. It was a great feeling to know that many of them appreciate the good job I try to do, in spite of the fact that store prices are continually rising and I’m not always able to carry some of their desired merchandise.
When John got off work, Pat came over and we feasted on Walmart fried chicken, coleslaw, potato salad and coconut cream birthday pie. You can never have too many desserts on your birthday, I always say. I got some really cool birthday gifts: a cute shirt & rose petal soap in a really pretty round box from Dan & Mary, drawer sachet, my favorite lip balm and the most interesting bracelets I’ve ever seen: they are inscribed with parts of I Cor 13, English and Spanish; and from Heather & Heath? Why my favorite Bath & Body works lotions and body washes. I esp love the sandalwood; a new scent for me. Of course I had received some gifts early: my pond and digital camera. The rest of the day was taken up with listening to and returning my phone messages. Now THAT’s what I’m talking about!

Join me next time for….UltraDad’s new pickup. Right now I think I’ll go listen to my CD again…and again…and again….

UltraMom

UltraMom talking to one of her many callers who phoned to wish her….well, you know…. (Taken with new Kodak 8 Megapixel camera)