Randy and Me (2009)

2005. My husband, radio personality, Randy Holman, and I formed a production company, On Fire Productions.  We did documentaries and commercials for clients.  We liked to evoke a tear or a giggle.  We wore all the hats.  Randy filmed (we hired videographers when we were both in a scene or my son, Gavin, took over, when available.)  On projects Randy was particularly interested in, he wore a bunch of hats. On co-productions, I generally, I wrote, did wardrobe, staging, directed and edited. My favorite thing to do was write campy commercials with Randy and I playing off-the-wall characters.  Since losing him in 2012, I’m thankful I have these happy/funny moments to remember!

“How To Dump Your Dishwasher”  (2010) Commercial for Duerden’s Appliance Center.

Randy (Old Man – Jerry Attricks), approaches the salesmen.

He inquires if they will help him get rid of his Old Dishwasher.

“You bet!” they say.  “We’ll install your new one and haul your old one away.”

Old Man wheels his Old Dishwasher in.

“Hey!”, she exclaims, looking around.  “This isn’t the pantyhose store….”

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Disclaimer:  My old man (Randy), happily often did the dishes! 

Since I was a little girl, I’ve always loved putting crazy costumes together, then acting out a character.  Camp has always been my thing!    I had fun with this wardrobe.  Randy is wearing my dad’s retro shirt, tie, (stuffed) pants, shoes and glasses! Found the granny dress and glasses at a thrift store.  Thought the hair rollers net and cotton would be a fun touch.  Can you guess how I created these wobblers?  (No, ha, sorry….not mine)  I thought of a trick for the effect that I’m not sure has been used before…)

You can watch commercial Here. 

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Much thanks for visiting, Everybuddies and for your wonderful support!  Deba Do  ♥

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  For more on my Film/TV career, trivia & photos, visit my IMDb page!  Adding more soon!**************************************

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Are we there yet?  Are we there yet?  Are we there yet?

MY MEMORIES & BOOK REVIEW

Every summer my parents, two brothers, our ‘weenie’ dog, Poppy, and I would pile into our lemon yellow station wagon and made an excursion from our home in California to visit my darling grandparents in Utah.  It was good times and we did have fun.  Part of the time.  Reading could lead to queasiness. Boredom can lead to restlessness and crankiness.   So there were a few family games we would play that made the endless, monotonous hours more bearable.

My dad would say, “Alright everyone, take a guess how many miles to that landmark (or whatever), up there.  That was interesting and worked for a little while here and there.

Mirage Stories

I also remember the mirages during the long hauls in the Nevada desert.  Fascinating.  We would tell fantasy stories to each other surrounding them.

Road Kill

Wow, we must have reeeeeally been bored, but I remember my older brother and I sticking our heads out the back of the station wagon and counting road kill hit by other cars.  (Back in the day when on the road we were let out of our seat belts.)  Yuk!  Critters squashed flat like pancakes.  Poor things.  I can hardly believe it, as I’m so squeamish about any creature that is harmed in any small way.     And my brother, an animal lover,  is very humane in nature.  I asked him the other day if he remembered that.  He laughed with a bit of shock and said he hadn’t!   Later in life I had nightmares about running over things.  On our road trips we definitely needed something better to do with our time!

Opportunity & Memories

Of course, it’s a whole new world today with our gadgets that kids and parents have alike.  But as I reminisce about those family trips with my mom and dad, both now gone, I realize it is those times where we talked, laughed and shared games and stories were so precious.  I remember them with fondness.  I don’t think I’d remember the time I’d spent on my tablet.

ONE BOOK – 50 Games, Organized & ALL IN ONE PLACE

When I read this book, all of my road trip memories came flooding back.  This book has some great games for fun, sharing, and learning that will make the time fly for you and your kids!  There are a few I really wish we had played on our trips.  Some where you really get to know and appreciate each other in ways that slip by us in our busy everyday lives.  Also some that illicit self reflection and insight. Instead of the proverbial, Are we there yet, your kids will be saying, “Are we there already?”  

ROAD TRIP!  50 Family Approved Games For The Car   by Diane Ethington & Aubree Ethington Jolley

50 % OFF through the end of December!  Use this Discount code  XMAS50It’s at checkout.

READY FOR YOUR NEXT FAMILY ROAD TRIP?

This family book has some great games the whole family will enjoy. I think these would be wonderful for Family Nights or even whole family gatherings, where kids and their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles can all get to know one another better and the lives they’ve lived!  I would record for posterity.  

It is faith and patriotic oriented planner and especially effective if parents use it in preparing somewhat ahead of time for their next fun and eventful road trip.  I received this book for a fair and balanced review.

I hope you enjoyed my memories and this book review.  Please stay in touch & Subscribe! (Right hand column or on Phone, scroll to bottom.)

Much thanks  ~ Deba Do   ♥

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Good things come in small packages.  Such is the saying and nothing could be truer than with Kenny Baker, who at 3 feet, 8 inches tall, brought such joy to millions in his iconic roll as Star Wars’ beloved R2-D2.  Kenny left this Galaxy at age 81, August 13, 2016.

Gone But Not Forgotten

I’LL NEVER FORGET

It was 1977, Spokane, Washington.   The original Star Wars had just come out in the theaters for the first time.  My baby, Gavin, was just three months old and I didn’t really want to leave him.  But a little voice inside said, “JUST GO!” My darling mother said she would watch him so off  I went.  So glad I did.  The moment those stars came rushing at me I was entranced.  When R2-D2 first entered the scene and ‘spoke’, I was in love.  Thanks little voice! 

To this day, Gavin feels a special infinity for Star Wars.

A REAL GENTLEMAN

The general consensus among those who knew and worked with Kenny was that he was a marvelous human being.

George Lucas said of the actor who went on to appear in the sequels, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi then three prequels, “Kenny Baker was a real gentleman as well as an incredible trooper who always worked hard under difficult circumstances.”

Can you imagine how hot Kenny must have been, encapsulated in his tight yet adorable outerwear?

Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the films, said of the actor on twitter, “Goodbye #KennyBaker A lifelong loyal friend- a lifelong friend  .  I loved his optimism & determination He WAS the droid I was looking for!”

Ewan McGregor, of Obi-Wan Kenobi fame in the three Star Wars prequels, tweeted: “So sorry to hear about this. It was lovely working with Kenny.”

Kenny’s manager, Johnny Mans, said “Kenny was truly a great friend, one of the nicest guys you could ever wish to meet, and a fabulous and talented performer.”  He also expressed, “He will be sadly missed.”

Bye Bye, R2-D2 ~Kenny Baker.  We shall think of you whenever we watch for the hundredth time and when we look to the STARS.

What are your fond memories of Star Wars and R2-D2?  Please Comment!

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I remember it well.  I had just graduated from high school and was looking forward.  But on that particular day, I and the rest of the world was looking up, as well as glued to our television sets!

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed in the moon’s Sea of Tranquility aboard the lunar module Eagle on that historic day of July 20, 1969.  A memory I shall never forget.

Image credit for Apollo 11 photos: Geoffrey Landis              www.geoffreylandis.com

EVEN MORE cemented in my memory is when eleven years old, the marvel of my mom, dad, two brothers and neighbors crowded around the TV set, watching the blast off of the Mercury capsule Friendship 7, as John Glenn rocketed into space.  He became the first American to orbit Earth.   A thrill I’m sure I’ll never forget!

Image Credit: NASA

Future of Our Children

I can’t help but wonder what historic space event my grandchildren will be watching (or living) one day but not sure it could compare to the very first!  Well, I guess there are plenty of firsts to come.

Maybe they will be gazing at us on earth from the moon! 

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Thought might be fun to show you my view watching the fireworks from my veranda with the Fam.

Camera went out on me just as the biggies started. Hee. Ah well, fun night!

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After the shock of losing my darling husband Randy, (although it had been a long two years coming with his brave cancer battle), I knew I needed to deal with my post-flood home which had happened only two weeks prior to his passing. Well, at this point, it’s taken me over four years to ‘deal’, as I work to put the huge amount that was destroyed repaired, and still going . . . DIY Remodel Style! And keepin’ it GREEN as I can.

MY HAND PAINTED FLOORS: 

So long . . . . .   My home, like myself, wasn’t quite feeling herself and needed a major makeover! 
Much was ruined, but let’s start with my floors.    Shortly after I helped to build this house over thirty years ago, I decided I wanted to do something rather different for the main living area.

So I hand painted large particle board squares we had cut and put down to appear as black marble.  (Not a great material choice in hindsight!  Wish we’d used plywood, but were trying to save $.  It looked beautiful for many years, but water wasn’t its friend.)  Then I cut out my own stencils and using multiple layers, created some interesting effects on the Dining Room floor.  Then I created a Greek Key stencil to go around the perimeter of the Family Room. (More about how I did all that soon, on my DIY page!)

SO LONG . . . Time to say, “Good bye, old floor friend.”

I thought sure I’d shed a tear when the time came, but I didn’t. Time for my under-foot grieving to come to an end. I felt my Randy was looking down and giving me a pat of encouragement and a nudge, knowing my adventure was just beginning.

Besides, not much choice

Floor buckled. Yikes.  (In hindsight, the particle board not a brilliant idea!  Trying to save money.   But I’m pretty sure the extent of the flooding would have  damaged whatever available in the day beyond repair.)

And generally just not fixable.

Nope. Nada.

Ta Ta Tile:  Kitchen tile floor had to go, too. So sad. But I wasn’t sure what dark/damp-created monsters might be lurking under there . . .
The whole kitchen, for that matter, had to go as well. (But that’s another story coming soon.)

And Thus It Began . . .  Good times ahead on our DIY Remodel!

My son, Gavin, was handy with that pry bar and mallet. Who knew (remembered) we glued those suckers down like crazy around the edges. With most, we did tongue and groove on the large squares we had cut and fit together.

Whelp . . . Thar she blows! NO turning back now.
Just trying to keep that smile going, find the humor as I go. And . . .

REMEMBER HOW BLESSED I AM to have a home at all to fix.

Read about MY MOLD REMEDIATION STORY!

SO, what’s next? Plenty. (And I’m going in a VERY different design direction.)

8/5/17 UPDATE!  COMING SOON… Finishing touches in KITCHEN, DINING, FAMILY ROOM & Working on new BATHROOM!  

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Thank you so kindly.  ♥  ~ Deborah  ~ Deba Do  

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