Shira Ann Brody 1st School Photo

Once upon a time...

Shira goes around saying rapidly this story:

Once upon a time there were three friends. The chicken fell down, got a boo boo and ran all the way home. The end.

FATHERS DAY DRAWING CONTEST WINNER

Riva drew this for father's day and won !

Brody Family - Summer 2007

Cousin Micah and Judah

Cousin Elli and Riva

Brody Cousins - Summer 2007

Papa and Uncle Micky

In Memory of Edna Shipley-Conner

She was past president of ALDA. I was fortunate to have dinner with her and her daughter at the last ALDA in which she told me how I need to soon lead and think about giving more of myself. Life is short and we much make the most of it.

ALDA meeting will be held at Rochester on Sept 26-30th. More information at www.alda.org

Riva the Earring Maker at almost 8!

Shira at Camp!

Riva's Earrings for sale!

The Greatest Game Ever Played

Riva and I give 2 thumbs up to this movie. Here is one of our favorite quotes:

"There are two types of players, those who control their nerves and win championships, and those that do not."

-Harry Vardon

The moral of the movie is we all need to find the confidence in ourselves to do anything we want to do. There will be people who do not believe in us and people who will drag you down. But there will also be people who will believe in us and pull us up. The bottom line is you have to treat others the way you want to be treated and be a good sports and have the confidence in yourself.

I like that caddie 'Eddie' - he was the true hero behind Francis Ouimet. At the end, Francis said I think we're going to be friends for a long time. Eddie became a multimillionaire. It was cool how Francis won and all those folks were giving him money and he said "Give it to Eddie" and was thinking about others and not himself.

All in all, the Brodyz give this movie 2 thumbs up.

Me and the 3 kids today

Today Jana went away for two days kayaking with Breanna. Here's what happened today:

I woke up and went to the living room and there was Riva and Judah sitting on the coach watching TV! Riva and I then went to watch the rest of the movie called "The Greatest Game ever played." We both give it two thumbs up!

Afterwards we went to the bike shop to fix the flat tire on Riva's bike. We also went to Kmart to get some swim goggles and sun tan lotion. Then we went to GG's pool and we all swam for 2 hours! Riva, Judah, and Shira all did the 1-2-3 whee and jumped in the pool together.

Then we saw the Glasman's family having a birthday party for Rina at the park. I yelled at Oren and asked him if the party was supposed to be tomorrow. He said that they were having two parties - one for the family and then tomorrow for the friends. I asked then what am I ? Chopped Liver?

Oren invited us to join the party. They had really good chicken picatta and fetticini alfredo noodles. Then everybody bashed the pinata and got lots of candy. We came home and after I took a little nap, I went back to living room and there I saw all 3 kids once again watching TV and this time eating candy!!!!! Judah proposed that we have candy tomorrow at Rina's party and then no more junk food for the rest of week.

Then we all went outside and rode our bikes at the park for a while and then went to Brandon school playground and played for a while. It was getting dark and we rushed home and I fed them leftover food for the Glasman's party.

I then read Judah and Shira "Curious George visits to the Toy Store." We then said the shema and then "Modeh Ani" . I went to the Den to get some work done while Riva and Judah read in their bed. At 9:15, they came to the Den and we all gave each other a hug. Then I wrote in this blogger as they watched.

Tomorrow, we need to take $5 out of the bank for Riva as she brought 2 Archie book at Kmart. Also tomorrow there will be NO TV and computer lest we become like the Bernstain Bears family in the book "Too much TV!"

I love Riva, Judah and Shira, Jana, and Star very very much. They are the swellest and kindest kids. I hope they grow up to be kind, generous, hard working, respectful, considerate, and thoughtful people.

Thank you G-d for everything

Brody - Goldbloom Mother's Day - 2007

Iowa State Census

Iowa State Census Collection - 1836-1925 - 1925 - Polk - Des Moines Ward I

F. Brody & Sons Co. - Furnishing Goods

(1443) July 27, 1925 - F. Brody & Sons Co. - Furnishing Goods - Des Moines, Iowa. Condition: Very Good Letterhead measures 8 1/2" by 7" and has been folded. Very nice vignette of the Company Building. Typed letter asking the Elmer Wood Co. in Moulton, Iowa to respond about an outstanding debt of $551.00. Letter signed by L.D. Ramsey. Falk Brody formed the wholesale clothing firm in Des Moines in 1880, helping to change the trend of family's making their own clothes. The company prospered and leased a new building in 1907 at 312-314 Court Ave. Brody leased the building for 35 years before purchasing it in 1942. To read more about this company please visit Des Moines Register Price: $8.00 + Shipping.

http://www.antique-hangups.com/1443.htm

My 40th birthday party...

Checking out the new bathtub!

Visiting Bubbe

Shira in potty training

GG paint jamming....

Purim - Shira coloring food

Eating Ice Cream in the front yard...

Making Pizza !

Melody and Riva's Science Project

Channel Surfing vs Page Turning Science Project

Riva's Science Project

Chocolate Milk - Yum!

Making Chocolate Macaroons for Passover

Who's there?

That's Rory!

We were watching Groundhog Day and there was a guy playing a Psychologist. The kids scream "That's Rory!" Here's a photo from the TV.

I eat fish now...

Riva's obsession shifted from Ariel the little Mermaid to Fairies. A few months ago, she refused to eat fish. Yesterday she told Jana that she now eats fish but nothing that flies....

The New Man In My House

A poem by Jana Beth Brody

Set ups and numbers passed by friends.

Surfing the Internet for a match.

Some came to meet me, but never called again.

In a parking lot, we met on a whim,

his truck caught my eye.

We struck up a conversation; he said he was free.

We exchanged emails and calls until we honestly knew we were ready to commit.

Like a package I ordered and thought was lost in the mail,

I had expectations of his arrival dogged by doubt.

So, shocked and elated when he arrived at my door on X-mas day.

Wearing faded jeans and a warm smile,

I felt the trust between us and welcomed him in.

He wasted no time in stripping things down;

he was aggressive yet calm and caring.

Things moved RAPIDLY, INTENSELY and unexpected NOISELY.

When the dust finally settled, I was left all aglow

for my dreams had become a reality.

We shared so much time together and he made such a difference in my life.

But after 2 ½ months, he said it was time to say goodbye.

The lights were on, the paint dried, the toilet flushed, the tile was set.

The bathroom remodels were complete.

I will miss my Contractor.

But I have his card, for the future

when the house, and I, need more attention.

Our little Tazmanian Devil!

Dad gives Bugs Bunny the Bunny Ears

Speedy, Porky, Wily and the Brodyz

The Brodyz go to Six Flags - Magic Mountain

Once upon a time there were three kids named Riva, Judah, and Shira. Dad promised to take them to the zoo. So off to the zoo they went. But when they go there, it was closed. Dad gave them an envelope. They opened it and in it was tickets for Six Flags at Magic Mountain. Dad shared his birthday money to take the kids there and they had a blast.....

A Great Santa Barbara Purim Shpiel!

Santa Barbara Purim Shpiel

by Julie Ehrnstein

Narrator: Once there was one bad dude name Big A. He was the baddest dude in his entire hood, including Goleta, Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Solvang, and most of Santa Maria.

One night he had a rockin’ party for all his homies. At the same time his main squeeze, Vashti was having a chick party.

These parties were so rockin’ that all the homies stayed for a whole week.

Big A (Big A): Yo dudes! Where’s my woman? She needs to come here and show my homies just how hot my squeeze is.

Vashti (V): Heck no!

Big A: Yo! My woman’s dissin’ me this aint cool!

Homie #1: Yo man! You better find a new woman. If your woman starts dissin’ you then all our women are going to start dissin us!

Big A: Yo V! You better just chill. I’m going to find a woman who knows how to respect her man.

Homie #2: And all you other chicks better not start dissin your men or they’ll leave you too!

Narrator: So, like two days later A got over it. Now he was lonely and needed a new chick.

Big A (to one of is homies): Dude, I need a new chick, should we cruise State Street and find one?

Homie #3: No way dude, have another party and only invite all the cute chicks in the hood. Then you get the pick of the litter.

Homie #2 (to thegroup): Yo, women, we’re havin another rockin party, and all you cuties are invited.

Narrator: In the hood lived a Jewish man named Mordechai. His cousin was Esther and she was super cute! Her parents died when she was little so Mordechai raised her.

Homie #2: Yo, Esther is totally a cutie, she needs to go to this party.

Mordechai: Esther, don’t let anyone know that you’re a Jew.

Narrator: Esther was totally tricked out and went to the party. As soon as A saw her he knew that she was the one.

Two total geeks were miffed because they were not invited to the party.

Bigthan: Dude, that Big A is a complete idiot. I can’t believe he didn’t invite two cool dudes like us to his party.

Teresh: What a loser. Let’s thrash him!

Narrator: Mordechai told Esther about the geeks’ plan to thrash Big A. She told Big A and he got two of his Homies to call the geeks’ parents to come get them.

One of Big A’s tightest Homies was Haman.

Homie #2: Yo, everyone, Big A says that you need to pay Haman $20 if you want to stay at the party.

Narrator: But Mordechai refused to pay.

Homie #3: Dude, what’s your problem, fork it over.

Mordechai: I’m a Jew. We don’t pay to party.

Narrator: From that day, Haman d all the Jews, He decided that no Jews could hang with Big A and his Homies. He went to tell Big A.

Haman: Hey man, there are Jews all over the hood and they won’t pay to party. They have their own parties and party for free. They should not be allowed to hang with us. I’ll give you all the cash I collected if you let me be in charge.

Big A: No sweat dude, here’s the remote for the stereo, keep your cash.

Homie #2: Yo, everyone, in two weeks all Jews need to leave the hood.

Big A: Hey man, grab me a Stoli.

Narrator: When Mordechai heard that all of the Jews had to leave the warm hood of Santa Barbara County he put on warm clothing and prepared for winter. Soon all the Jews were in snow jackets with scarves & mittens.

Esther’s friend: Hey friend, your cousin Mordechai is dressed like he’s going to the snow.

Esther: Bring him these board shorts and flip flops.

Narrator: But Mordechai would not take the new clothes.

Mordechai: Big A has said that all the Jews need to leave the hood. You need to set that dude straight.

Esther: There’s no talking to that man. All he ever does is listen to his Ipod and chill with the football game.

Mordechai: Girlfriend, he’s going to make you leave too!

Esther: Alright, I’ll try, but all the Jews need to stop surfing for three days. My friends and I will also not surf.

Narrator: Three days later Esther went to see Big A. She caught him during commercials and when he saw her he took off his headphones.

Big A: Yo woman, what do you need? You know I’d do anything for you.

Esther: I want you and Haman to come to a party.

Big A: Cool.

Narrator: Big A and Haman went to Esther’s party. It rocked. Big A asked what else Esther would like.

Esther: All I want is for Big A and Haman to come back and party again.

Big A: Totally cool.

Narrator: When Haman left the party he was stoked. He knew that Big A’s main squeeze thought he was cool. On his way home he ran in to Mordechai. He asked him for the $20 and Mordechai refused. Haman called up the Santa Barbara Airbus and chartered a bunch of busses to take the Jews away.

That night Big A could not sleep.

Big A: Dude, I know I’m forgetting something and I can’t sleep. Check my to do list.

Homie #3: It says here that you forgot to thank Mordechai for telling you about those geeks who wanted to thrash you.

Big A: Dang! I knew there was something I forgot. Yo, Haman what do you think I should do for a dude who protected me from a thrashing?

Narrator: Haman thought Big A was talking about him.

Haman: Oh dude! I’d get him a new ride, hook him up with some hot chicks, and buy him some rockin’ stuff for his crib.

Big A: That’s cool. Do that for Mordechai.

Narrator: Haman was miffed.

Big A and Haman went to Esther’s second party.

Big A: Esther, this party is so sweet that I’ll do anything for you. What do you want?

Esther: Someone’s trying break us up. Please don’t let him.

Big A: Who?

Esther: That two-timer, Haman. He’s chartered the SB Airbus to take Mordechai and me away.

Big A: Are you messin” with me? Yo, Haman you’re outta here dude. I want you on that bus. Mordechai you are now my tightest homie.

From now on, we are going to have the hugest rockin party every year at this time and call it Purim. We’ll all bring awesome munchies and no one will have to pay.

All: COOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!

The Santa Barbara Priority

New book by Bryant Wieneke called "The Santa Barbara Priority" is released. Jana's artwork grace the cover and I'm in it. You can buy the book at Barnes & Noble (link below) or Amazon. I played a guy name Eric Bossen.

Read some of the excerpt from the book below:

"What do you know about Eric Bossen" Perez finally asked.
"The computer guy at PTP? Why do you want to know about him?"
"While you were away, we looked at John Tuttle's and Shanna Thompson's comptuer files, and ..."
"You looked in their computer files?"
"They're suspects in a terrorist plot. Of course we're going to look in their computer files."
"They're American who haven't done anything wrong. What give you the right to look through their computer files?"
"The Patriot Act, that's what," Perez replied sharply. "Not to mention common sense..."

..."Eric seems like a great guy," Kendall finally replied. "He's tall, black hair and glasses, though I think he said he was having lasik surgery so he wouldn't need glasses anymore. He likes to play basketball, but I have no idea how good he is. He's big enough, however. And he's hearing impaired, so he needs to read lips in a conversation. It may be one of the reasons he so good at computer stuff because he can communicate so easily and effortlessly in that way, but that just me playing amateur psycholoigst."

..."He seems normal, Jason. He has excellent computer skills that he applying at a non-profit agency where he's probably making a lot less than he could elsewhere. He seems to care about other people - not jsut Americans - and wants to save them from proverty and disease. He seems like a decent person, and I like him." He paused momentarily, then continued. "There is one thing about him, however, that makes me suspicious."
"What's that?"
"He's a Minnesota Vikings fan. Now I don't know about you, but I think that very odd for someone in California. It's one thing to be a Lakers fan, since that franchise moved here from Minnesota, but the Vikings?"

Perez did not react in any way to Kendall's flippancy. He merely...

Read more about it at http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781425724368&itm=1

Oh sh..t

Riva was going to bed and said "Don't worry, Shira is sleeping" as Jana was right behind her. As soon as she opened the door, Shira chimed "Riva".

"Oh Sh.t" Riva said.
"What do you say" Jana asked?
"Shira said 'Riva'" Riva replied.
"No, what do you say?" Jana asked.
"Oh...oops..."

God put you on this planet to...

On shabbot, we opened the shabbot box and the question was

"God put you on this planet to do what?"

Judah said "to celebrate the Jewish Holidays!" and Riva said "to help people and to be part of the circle of life"

They sure know more about life than many adults do.

Chicago School Class Picture

The Brodyz on Air Force 1 (Reagan Museum)

Riva's 2nd Grade photo

Judah - 4 year old school photo

Two Dates in one night!

Riva and I went to the hardware store and then had a date at Kahuna burgers and then went to the bookstore. It was close to 7pm and I then realized GG was coming over and Jana and I were supposed to go out on a date. I told Riva "Let's go. I completely forgot I have a date with Mom tonight. Oh...I'm having two dates in one night! Whoa.....oh...don't tell mom because she'll get jealous." She laughed....

My brother is evil!

Riva was mad this morning. Riva was bothering Judah and Judah bit him. I talked with both of them about rules and mid-way through, Shira stumbled him with nail polished over her face. I screamed for Jana to come deal with it. Riva freaked out and wouldn't talk to me. We were going to Hillel and she was waiting in the car with a grumpy face. The following conversation ensued:

"Judah is evil."
"I understand you feel that way and am upset with him. But he's just a little boy. How can he be evil?"
"He is really evil."
"Ummm...you mean like when he grows up, he'll become evil like Darth Vader?"
"Yeah! Exactly." she smiled.
"Well we need to stop that from happening. We need to influence him with the force. How do we do that?"
"Kill him!" she smiled.
"No silly we can't do that."
"How about we sell him?"
"Hmmm...how much should we sell him for?"
"50 cents."
Judah came in the car. I said "Riva think we should sell you. What do you think?"
Judah looked perplexed and a bit worried and said..."No...."
I quickly countered "Maybe we should sell Riva instead?"
His faced beamed and he smiled and shouted "Yeah!"
"How much should we sell her for?"
"55 dollars!" he shouted excitedly.
"Hey that's a lot money! Riva..." I said turning to her, "I think we should sell you
instead as I can get more money for you."
"No..." she smiled.

The whole tension was gone and we droved off to Hillel with the incident now forgotten and confined to history. Later that day, they both went to a birthday party to their neighbor's house 3 houses away. I had to stay home and watched Shira as she napped. I watched them from the front of the house walking to the neighber's house and holding hands and a smile come across my face.