Happy Father's Day!!

Happy Father's Day Dad!! I was born with the silver spoon in my mouth simply because I am Bob Bertram's daughter. Dad was always the funnest person. People flocked (and still do) to my Dad because of his fun, daring, witty, and shrewd personality. He isn't intimidated by people. He is able to mingle in any crowd and he always becomes the life of every party. He taught me how to snow ski. Those are some of the fondest memories with my Dad... even when I hadn't learned how to stop yet and I did somersaults all the way down the hill after an attempt to do so or he rescued me after I skied into ice and fell off a cliff. He was the one who took me to Great America and rode the scary rides with me. In the Summer time he taught me how to do front and back flips into the swimming pool... and some things I preferred not to learn such as his frontward jump off the diving board which ended in a backward dive. Yes, he's the one who taught me to live on the edge sometimes. He showed me that just because you have money you don't have to buy the most expensive item you can afford. Somehow I inherited his love for thrift shopping and "dumpster diving." (Don't knock it til' you've tried it... or find out what it is... lol). He is also able to turn anything into gold. As a teen, when he asked me, "What do you think I'm made of? Money?" I would now have to say "yes." Does "car salesman" mean anything to you? He can sell ANYTHING: cars, cherries, homes, dirt. HAHA!! Dad is also a talented musician. I also inherited a love for singing from him. Although I never heard him play the instruments he was trained in, I heard him sing many times leading the worship service at the Rock Church. Does Frank Sinatra ring a bell? Dad puts him to shame... same electric blue eyes and pearly white smile. Did I mention my Dad is good looking? Although years have put a few pounds on him, sweet lines in his face, scars on his hands and knees from providing for his family, and colored his hair silver, he is still the most handsome Father ever. Was he perfect? Probably not, but who is? I will add that he is the perfect Father for me. God knew what He was doing when He gave him to me and me to him and I am so very thankful. That said, Happy Father's Day Dad!!!

The gift that he opened up (unfortunately the day after Father's Day):

Update and Postal News

From garden tending, housekeeping, much prayer, and mothering to revival, preparing for Father's Day, starting a diet for Janell's wedding, walking (that's my exercising... I have a kid now!) and practicing for Alabama Revival Conference ... I think I've kept myself busy.

Garden update: My garden is doing well. I've only had one plant die... my Rosemary plant (sighs). Actually that's not even in my garden. It's potted on my back deck. I did get to snip a piece off before it died and use it on my baked Parmesan chicken. I guess a few days in really hot weather and no water will kill a small herb plant (you learn something new every day). I have quite a few cucumbers, three cayenne peppers, and several flowers on my tomato and squash plants. I planted my green beans as seeds about two weeks ago and they are doing better than any of the others. Its amazing how fast those things will grow.

So, I was out this week perusing the local establishments for Father's Day gift items. I didn't find anything that suited me perfectly. Finally, a light on clicked and it all came together. I can't disclose the information on the blog yet due to the fact that the aforementioned "Papas" sometimes read this blog. Thus the Father's Day surprise would be ruined. SOOOooooo, I just have to tell you that its perfect and I'll tell you... even show you next week what the gift is.

So today, I went to the post office to mail off Papa Bertram's gift and the man behind the counter asked me if it was media mail. I asked what he meant. He explained is any sort of media or loose leaf documents or such, and if so, there is a significant reduction on your postage price. I wished so bad that my gift had been, but it wasn't and I paid the normal rate. What this means musicians, is that you can mail sheet music and a cd, music text books (or non music), or any other form of music media for a reduced price. Check out the usps.com website.