Unnoticed by Emily as she typed, auto-correct changed "in-laws" to "inmates." (Or at least that's how Emily explained it to the teacher... and to Linda and Tom.)
Alice's teacher believed Emily and didn't call Social Services.
Linda was a second-grade teacher for more than 30 years. She loved her work and was exceptional at it. In addition to their granddaughter Alice (5), Linda and Tom have two other grandchildren, Eloise (8) and Bennett (11). They are the best grandparents, but Linda especially has the admiration of Tom and the rest of us. With her three grandchildren, she has unending love, patience, energy, and authority. If Grandma tells them once, they do it. (Alice is still training Grandpa.)
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| LINDA, OF COURSE. |
Linda and Tom drive into Sioux Falls quite often to take care of the kids when Ryan and Emily have to travel or need some help.
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| SISTER LINDA AND SAN GERALDO. |
Important Note:
No matter how exceptional Linda is, she is also, as I mentioned earlier, San Geraldo's sister.
The next day, Emily asked Linda if she was available to be at the house that afternoon when the blind man came.
Perplexed, Linda asked, "Why is a blind man coming to the house and what do you want me to do with him?"
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| FOR YEARS I'VE WONDERED WHY THEY WERE POSED ON THE STOOL. I FINALLY REALIZED: TO KEEP THEIR EASTER SHOES CLEAN! |
As Linda told us, "I guess it runs in the family."
I am always aware that, in addition to the joy of having San Geraldo in my life, I have the added joy of Linda, Tom, and their loving family. Oh, and of course there's their entertainment value.
Barry Manilow has a song called "Linda."
Linda loves Barry Manilow.
But I just couldn't bring myself to do it (even though Barry Manilow touched my shoulder in a restaurant in Palm Springs in 2001, and we had a run-in at Kennedy Airport in 1974.
(Click here for the run-in — it's a funny story — while you listen to "Jailhouse Rock" instead; Linda and Tom were two of the back-up dancers.)
A run-in with Barry Manilow? Now there's an intriguing turn of phrase.
ReplyDeleteMichael:
DeleteFeel free to use it in your book... although I have no idea where THAT would fit.
I imagine the school going on lockdown with the threat of inmates taking over.
ReplyDeleteBob:
DeleteThose South Dakota elementary schools are surprising places.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete(Because it was a comment in the most dubious of tastes!)
DeleteRay:
DeleteI DID see the first comment via email, although it never appeared here. Nothing unsavory about it. The tastefulness of my blog posts is much more dubious than your comment.
Must have been Tom and Linda doing the wonderful pole dancing ...
ReplyDeleteWilma:
DeleteThey've STILL got it!
Mitchell so funny photo on the stool
ReplyDeleteGosia:
DeleteI always thought that was such a strange picture.
That is a great story about getting lost, not that you were really lost as you were so close by.
ReplyDeleteAndrew:
DeleteYes, we were VERY close.
If that car story isn't the funniest thing I've heard all month...it's VERY close. I had tears streaming down reading it! :)
ReplyDeleteMichelle:
DeleteIf you've got time and the inclination, check out the blog post that preceded the car story. It was all part of the same day.
Oh, dear heavens, I couldn't help myself from laughing out loud... I tried to just be amused, but, by the last, "'Is this the right house or not??' pleaded Jerry" , that was it :)
ReplyDeleteLove the new colors :)
Judy:
DeleteDid you happen to read the post before that one (part 1)? Thanks, regarding the new colors. I figured it was time for a change.
What a great read.
ReplyDeleteMegan:
DeleteThanks!
Based on that story, there is no doubt they are siblings, baahaa!
ReplyDeleteCheapchick:
DeleteNo doubt in the world.