What’s a Car Gypsy?
Posted by Ron in Family, Neighborhood, Unbelievable on November 22nd, 2011
Last week my wife said, “You’re a Car Gypsy.” “What? What’s a ‘Car Gypsy’?” She explained it to me. She was right.
It all started when I was a little kid. You see, my dad’s hobby was buying/fixing-up homes and moving our family constantly. By the time I graduated from high school I had lived in more than 20 homes [I know what you're thinking...no, my dad wasn't in the military]. He simply liked to fix up homes. Once he ran out of things he could do to the home and yard, the For Sale sign would go up, and we would move….again.
As a child I didn’t really consider this transient life abnormal; it was all I knew. What I did realize at a young age though, was that friends and classmates weren’t important because they weren’t permanent. Only family was permanent.
Andrea’s Car Gypsy comment surprised me and triggered a several-day period of reflection that culminated in a surprising conclusion: I had become my father.
Early in my adult life I started down the “House Gypsy” road my father had taught me. In a matter of 10 years I had lived in 7 apartments/homes/condos. I was on track to rival my father’s impressive number of moves. In 2000 it occurred to me that this may not be the right thing for my then 6-year old daughter who had already lived in 4 homes. It was then that I decided I wouldn’t move to another home until my kids were grown. Easier said than done.
Every few months I get an itch that I can’t scratch. I’d start looking at homes for sale and even taking Andrea to see them. In a matter of a couple of days I would remember my desire to give my children a stable environment in which to grow. But the itch would not easily go away.
Outgoing Car? Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor
In retrospect, I now realize that I found the anti-itch cream through automobiles. Cars became my father’s homes. In the last 10 years I have switched my cars out 11 times. 11 cars in 10 years! That’s crazy…but it keeps me in the same home, and has done so for nearly 12 years now. That is a Wilson family record! Not one of my brothers or my sister have yet to surpass my record…yes, it seems they inherited the Gypsy gene, too.
So, I AM a “Car Gypsy” and proud of this fact. It means that my kids can build healthy friendships and experience the security of permanency. It also means that I get to drive some pretty awesome cars, like a sweet Mercedes-Benz and now this titan silver Bavarian specimen below. I wonder how long she will last? I’d tell my lovely wife that I’m keeping this one for a long time (like I did the Mercedes), but I already know that’s not true. It’s a pretty awesome car, though, so maybe I WILL keep this one for a long time. ;)
Incoming Car? BMW 330i (it's awesome)
What do you think of this plate for the BMW?
Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus – Must See!
Posted by Ron in Fun Videos, Unbelievable on December 3rd, 2010
I love this video. Watch the reaction of the surprised diners, and watch as their expressions change from surprise to gratitude as the Spirit is felt. Very cool!
Goodbye Ruby Lee McGee
Tonight I was looking at the Google Analytics data for my blog (you know, the numbers of visitors, search words to find my blog, referring sites, etc.) and was surprised that I got a hundred or so visitors for the search string “ray t mcgee.” Ray is Riley’s grandfather who lived in Oklahoma until he died in February of this year. So out of curiosity I Googled “ray t mcgee” to see the other results. To my surprise the first result was for “RUBY MCGEE >>Obituaries >> AdaEveningNews.com.” I clicked the link and learned the following:
ADA — Graveside services for Ruby Lee McGee, 89, Ada, are 12 noon Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, at Memorial Park Cemetery, the Rev. Earl Hood officiating.
Mrs. McGee died Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010, at Ada. She was born April 20, 1921, at Selby, S.D., to LeRoy and Della Chamberlain Easterling.
She attended school at Jennings and was a homemaker.She married Ray T. McGee II on May 2, 1941. He preceded her in death.
Survivors include a daughter, Nancy Jarman and her husband Lonnie, Oklahoma City; a son, Frank Nichols and his wife Leota, Ada; three granddaughters, Danita Nichols and Gavin, Frisco, Texas, Robin and Andy Hallford, Arlington, Texas, and Leslee and Gary Sanner, Moore; three great-granddaughters; and five great-grandsons.
She was preceded in death by her husband, a son, Ray T. McGee III; a sister, Marie Shellenberger; a brother, Joe Sloss; and a granddaughter, Kimlee [Kemley] Wilson.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
Ruby Lee McGee is the mother of Ray T. McGee, who is the father of Kemley McGee Wilson, who is the mother of Riley Wilson, my daughter. Yes, Riley’s great-grandmother died two weeks ago and was buried soon after in Ada, Oklahoma. Ray and Kemley loved her very much. I’ve been to her home in Ada many times over a 10-year period and had learned to love her as a grandmother. Riley knew her from infancy through 4-years of age.
It would have been nice to go to her funeral. It would have been nice to be invited. It would have been nice to be told she had died. It would have been nice….to be thought of.
Sadly, this is just another example of a family that has been divided by death, distance, and so many other instances of peculiar behavior that it’s not surprising. But, it is disappointing.
We now have absolutely no contact from the McGee family, Riley’s family. No calls on holidays. No birthday gifts/calls/cards. No calls to Riley to just see how she is. No contact.
Maybe one of them will stumble across this post when they Google “ray t mcgee,” and just maybe they’ll remember that there is another “McGee,” one who doesn’t live in Oklahoma, one that might still like to feel that she is part of the family.
Awesome Football Trick Play
Posted by Ron in Unbelievable on November 10th, 2010
You have to give credit to Texas’ Driscoll Middle School for some true creativity when it comes to this play. Enjoy!
Goodbye Pelosi – Don’t Let the Door Hit You
Posted by Ron in Patriotism, Politics on November 6th, 2010
Since the election Nancy Pelosi stated that she wishes to be elected as House Minority Leader. Her reasoning? So she can ensure that none of the legislation she strong-armed through Congress can be repealed. Are you kidding me?! Doesn’t she understand that she is one of the primary reasons that the Democrats were beaten so soundly across the nation earlier this week? I can’t believe she is that out-of-touch with the nation. Sadly, I think she is one of many in Congress who are.
I ran across this YouTube video today, which had me laughing so hard that I had to share it. Enjoy!
Mormon Church Knows SEO: Recognized at SES 2010 in Chicago
Posted by Ron in Mormon Church on October 24th, 2010
At Search Engine Strategies 2010 in Chicago, Avinash Kaushik, Google’s SEO Evangelist recognized the Mormon Church as an organization that understands SEO. Watch the video until about 1:52.
As the product manager of one of the Mormon Church’s websites (mormon.org), it’s wonderful to have someone as talented as Avinash recognize the Church’s work and SEO efforts.
Twitter Updates for 2010-08-31
Posted by Ron in Twitter Feed on August 31st, 2010
- I'm looking for a reliable car in the $4-5k range. Any advice on what I should buy? #
Twitter Updates for 2010-08-25
Posted by Ron in Twitter Feed on August 25th, 2010
- I wish someone had been doing my job while I was gone 2 weeks on vacation. #vacationsaren'tworthit #