Jerry and I had a great Thanksgiving holiday as usual, spending it with family and feasting on Peruvian style turkey, pumpkin pie and the best, most addicting pate known to mankind. 

When we got home we retreated to our appropriate corners and for the rest of the weekend focused on our individual activities which for Jerry was this: 

and for me was this: 

So different and yet so close and reminding me how great life can be. 

You know how a few weeks ago I got the shock of my life when Jerry got me a new car for my birthday?  Well last weekend I got to pass on some of the love by doing the same for my nephew Jonah on his birthday.  Since he is only turning 15 and doesn’t even have his learner’s permit it was most unexpected.  And if you’re going to be technical, the person I actually gave the car to is my brother Harlan, who will own the car and let Jonah drive it.  But the thrill factor was still the same for Jonah.  I got a huge kick out of it as well. 

The car I gave him was my old 1994 Ford Escort.  When I first broached the idea with my brother I was half expecting him to laugh in my face and tell me "No thanks” since the car is older than Jonah himself and pretty beat up.  Instead I got an overwhelming “Hell yeah!  That’s the perfect car for a teenager.  He’s going to be stoked!”  The more I thought about it the more I realized it was.  And based on Jonah’s reaction when he unwrapped the key, Harlan was right. 

What 15 year old wouldn’t look forward to driving this beauty into the high school parking lot every day? 

In addition to having air conditioning and heat, this vintage Ford classic also has a digital clock radio AND tape cassette.  They don’t make ‘em like this anymore. 

And get a load of this ADJUSTABLE cup holder:

It also came bundled with a few extra features.  This FREE water jug will come in handy during the summer months when the coolant level of the car runs lower than the rest of the year. 

We also included a brand new, easy-to-install bumper and left front fender. 

But the best part about my old car is it’s new driver. 

Luckily he is no stranger to the car.  Jonah was 3 months old when he first rode in it.  Packed up in his infant car seat and securely buckled in the back seat by his Grandma Sharon (“Maga”) he was entrusted to my care for the day while his parents moved into the house he would grow up in.  Two years later that car took him the hospital to see his little brother for the first time.  That car was also where Jonah said the cutest thing ever…the story of which will be saved for his birthday next year.  For now, I’ll let him have his glory. 

Safe driving young man! 

What little girl doesn’t want a dollhouse to play with?  When I was 3 or 4 I had a metal one that looked a lot like this: 

In addition to the painted on furnishings it also had a collection of plastic furniture that I spent hours arranging, although the painted on toilet paper roll in the bathroom always seemed to dictate where the toilet should go. 

I’m not sure what happened to the metal dollhouse but it didn’t last long.  I then spent several years with dollhouse envy.  One of my friends, an older girl named Lisa, had an amazing dollhouse for Barbie built by her dad.  It was three stories tall with curved staircases and carpeting.  It was open with no exterior walls and very few interior walls.  It was very modern looking, of course since it was for Barbie.  I didn’t spend much time at this girl’s house but when I did I could not be pried away from her dollhouse. 

Another friend, also named Lisa, and her sister Lynda had a beautiful dollhouse built by a family friend.  This was a more traditional looking dollhouse with partitioned walls and one side that opened.  It looked like a traditional farmhouse, painted white with green shutters and it was beautiful.  I don’t ever remember playing with it and I often wonder if Lisa and Lynda ever did. 

Seeing the dollhouses of these lucky girls only made me want one of my own.  One year my father did make one for me out of left over paneling.   It had no windows or or doors or even a staircase accessing it’s three floors.  The bottom floor was tall enough for Barbie to stand it but the top two floors where only tall enough for a Dawn doll.  I’m not sure why the inconsistency and when I pointed out that Barbie was unable to stand up on the upper floors Dad told me “Those are the bedrooms.  All she has to do is lie down and sleep.”  I solemnly played with it for a few years until one day I admitted to myself that it was not pretty at all.  (Sorry Dad!)  It was simply a bookshelf with a peaked roof, so that’s what I ended up using it as. 

When I was 12 Grandma Teetsel finally got involved.  We were having one of our talks one day and she asked me, “If you have anything your heart desired what would it be?” I told her and two years later she presented me with this:

This dollhouse, called The Harrison, was built from a kit you can still get today.  It wasn’t a complete surprise. We picked out the house style together and in the two years it took her to build it Grandma sought my counsel when picking out paint colors, shingles and wallpaper. She even added extra rooms. We were both troubled by the fact that by designating one of the rooms as the nursery we had sacrificed a bathroom. 

So Grandma built a new one.

She also added a kitchen with see through walls so as not to impede the view to the dining room.

By the time I got the house I was too old to play with it but it did spark a passion for miniatures. I started collecting furniture and even made a few pieces from kits. Then real life happened. Boys, then college and then career took over and The Harrison kept getting shoved aside and for years was ignored entirely.

Last month, shortly after the two year anniversary of Grandma’s death The Harrison came back home and just like that first time in 1982 my passion for miniatures has been reignited.  Unlike before I have a great new source for ideas and pieces: the internet!  There are tons of blogs and websites about miniatures and of course eBay, oh my!  I will keep you updated as I furnish the rooms of The Harrison.  You can be assured, it will be done pursuant to it’s intended glory and in honor of Grandma Teetsel. 

Jerry and I made a pact early on in our marriage: we don’t buy each other gifts for holidays and birthdays.  It’s a pact that works out quite well, especially for me when Jerry decides to break the pact.  Because when Jerry buys me a gift he does it right.  Like this year for my birthday, he bought me a car.  Yes you read that right, Jerry bought me a car.  A new car.  A 2012 Ford Focus.  Not only that but it was a complete surprise.  

He bought the car in secret last Saturday when I was at the hairdresser.  He was still gone when I got home but I thought he was  at Fry’s Electronics.  It was about 4pm when he got back and we decided to go out for an early dinner at our favorite pizza place in San Leandro.  Halfway to the pizza place Jerry decided to stop at the Ford Dealership on Marina Boulevard.  “Let’s kill a little time before getting that pizza,” he suggested. 

We start walking the lot and as expected a sales guy approaches.  “I hate these guys,”  Jerry mumbles. 

“Welcome to the Ford Store!” You could see the sales guy gearing up for his pitch.  “How can I help you folks?” 

“We’re here to look at the Focus,” Jerry told him.  “My wife has been nagging me to get one for her.”  (I have not!) 

So the guy took us to a white Ford Focus, Jerry handed me a key and said “There’s your new car honey.” 

I  was confused as hell.  What new car?  We were just there killing time before dinner. 

“So we’re going to go for a test drive?”  I asked. 

“There’s not test drive,”  Jerry said.  “You’re going to drive it home.” 

Suddenly I was surrounded by Ford salesmen congratulating me on my new car. They kept telling me my husband bought me a  car.  My husband, Jerry, bought me a car.  A new car.  I stood there for close to 5 minutes in complete shock and disbelief.  I kept asking Jerry, “You bought this?”  And Jerry kept saying, “Yes, I bought this.” 

I think they were starting to get annoyed with me and they kept telling me to get in the car so I finally did.  And that’s when it finally sunk in that Jerry bought me a car.  A new car.  So then I burst into tears. 

There was a guy sitting in the passenger seat of the car and he had to wait another 5 minutes for me to stop crying so he could show me all the features.  (new cars are complicated these days; you can’t just get in a drive)  It was by far the most memorable birthday I’ve ever had.  And two weeks later I still have that “new car feeling.”  You know what I’m talking about right?  It’s that “oooh, I want to drive somewhere in my new car” feeling.  I’m not sure how long it’s supposed to last but considering I had been driving my old car for close to 20 years I’m sure I’ll have it longer than most. 

I also happen to think I have a better husband than most.  Thanks honey!