Not Bad For a Girl

That's what S said last night when challenging me to do some push-ups and sit-ups. I even did the push-ups Navy Seal style, or on one toe. Ok, so I only did 10 but I did them absolutely correctly and S says that's more than some of his fellow cadets can do! Well sure, my first time doing push-ups in the academy I think I only did 1 1/2! Push-ups are great though, your arms get defined in no time at all. (Tito J., are you workin' it?)

Yesterday was my grandfather "Popo"'s 92nd birthday!!! This is us on his porch a few years ago. Cute, aren't we? I hunted high and low for a pineapple side down cake for him last weekend and I finally found one after visiting several places. I wasn't about to give up on the search b/c it's his favorite cake and for me, nothing less would do for someone who has seen 92 years. He says he doesn't want to see 100 though and I can't blame him. My mom gets her unflappable work ethic from him and I get mine from her. He grew up extremely poor in a large family down in South Texas. Once when he was a young boy a horse kicked him in the head and he was in a coma for several months! He served this country in WWII but never actually saw combat, thank God. I have his dog tags. He always wanted to play the violin but could never afford it so when I picked up the viola he was overjoyed, and eventually ended up paying for my professional-level viola since we certainly didn't have the money! He and my grandmother Julia, God rest her soul, raised 4 kids in a teeny tiny house that was so small my grandfather had to sleep in the kitchen. Later he paid cash for a slightly bigger house where he still lives today. Although we don't know each other as well as I'd like due to a language barrier--his English is about as good as my Spanish--I consider us to be very close and he is, in fact, my hero. My father says that my Popo is one of the smartest men he's ever met in his life, and that is saying a huge hell of a lot. Rock on, Popo!

Speaking of rocking on, tonight is my date with L., her man, and Chris Smither. This should be quite good for my soul! Review tomorrow.