Big Night for Mike

When Mike turned 25 last month I was stumped for ideas for a birthday present. Ironically it was about 2 days before his birthday that the tickets went on sale for the Harlem Globetrotters visit to Toledo's new arena. We took Mike to see the Globetrotters 6 or 7 years ago and he really enjoyed it, but we were in the upper upper seats in Toledo's city center. Tuesday night, December 29th was perfect because Mike had the week between Christmas and New Years off work. Steve and I had been anxious to see the new arena so it would be a perfect gift. I was able to secure court side seats for the three of us. When he opened the tickets on his birthday even Mike thought it was a great gift.

Flash forward to December 28th. Steve is suffering from the flu (we think). He has a temperature in the triple digits and he says there is no way he will be (or should be) attending the game Tuesday night. So we called the cousins to fill in. Tim and Andrew took Mike to the game. It was even more fun for Mike to be with Tim and Andrew than the parents. The neat part of it was that they even became part of the show as often happens to those sitting court side. Mike bought a souvenir Globetrotter Basketball. He was able to get it signed by Cobra Coley, the player he is pictured with. Cobra is also the player making the dunk over the referee. Tim got some great shots to remember the evening with. It was our gift to see Mike have such a good time. Thanks Tim and Andrew.

Remembering John December 26,1980

Happy Birthday John. I can't think of a better way to remember you than to post some pictures from our holiday season. Smiles and laughter show the good times we enjoyed this season. We miss you and we think of you everyday.

May we all live the toast from Jim Chandler at our Christmas dinner this year

" Live Well, Love Much, Laugh Often"

Merry Christmas

Hope everyone is having a great day.

Let the Festivities Begin

Jessica arrived this early AM from LA. Looking at the schedule for the next week it is pretty full. We are off to see AJ this afternoon. Shopping is on the list of activities for all of us. And I would like to schedule in some exercise too. The supply of food around has been phenomenal. And it all tastes so good. I am already beginning to look forward to January with no partying and diet meals.

I have a really cute web site for anyone with small kids or grandkids. This will help you produce a video Christmas visit with Santa from the north pole. It takes a minute but is really cute when finished. Thanks for sharing it with me Hilary.


http://portablenorthpole.tv/home


This is the link. Hope it works for you.

Yes it is Monday

I saw this and thought it applied!

Monday and the furnace install is complete

We had heat for the weekend but there were a few details to finish up this morning. Hopefully now we can enjoy our home, family, and friends for the holidays and not have any more repairs, changes or painting.

Steve and I decorated the Christmas tree this weekend. As usual it is a perfect tree once it got all of the lights and ornaments on it. I hate all of the work of a live tree but the smell of pine makes it all worth while. Mike was going to help but his weekend was filled with the Special Olympic regional swim meet. He called last night and his results were a 2nd place finish in the relay, a fourth place finish in the 50free style, and a fifth in the 100 free. He did not place as well as he did in the area meet but I am sure there was more competition this weekend. Next weekend he goes to Ohio State University for the State Swim Meet. He likes the social aspects of this weekend adventure more than the swimming. There is usually a dance and some time for Christmas shopping.

Jessica comes home on Friday morning. She is taking the red eye from LA on Thursday night and arrives in the wee hours in Detroit Friday. Not sure if we will have the snow she wants but it looks like it will be cold enough. It will be a busy time from now until New Years.

Coldest of the season

As you may remember last year in December we put new windows in the sun room. It was a cold and snowy day but at least the sun room could be closed off from the rest of the house and it was a fairly quick installation process. Now the coldest weather has arrived and guess what! No heat on Thursday morning. The blower on the 25 year old furnace had died overnight. So the money pit of living in a house continues. Of course the blower was a unique model (i.e. big $$$) and then there was the issue of the secondary condensers being corroded with an estimated life of 1-2 years. So heaters were brought in and a new furnace installation began today. The heaters maintained a temperature around 60 inside yesterday and snuggling in bed was delightful last night. I am baking today while the work progresses and there is the promise of heat sometime today. Thought my Christmas present was just going to be my new kitchen so I must have been very good this year to get a new furnace too. Thank you Santa!

Winter may be here

Last night we saw the first real accumulation of snow. Over night the snow changed to rain and by this morning most of the snow was gone. The temperature is warm now but the winds are strong. Prediction is for more snow tonight.

We are having a real "live" Christmas tree again this year and it seems the weather is always cold when we go out to pick it. Mike wants to help so I guess we won't be getting it until this weekend. It will probably be covered with snow and have to sit in the garage before it gets into the house.

My list of 4 major activities for the holiday is cards, christmas cookies, decorating and presents. I always feel good if I get three of the four done well. So far this year I have done a little of each but can not check anything as finished yet. That means I am still shopping so get your list to me.

I have a friend writing a Christmas childrens story on her blog this year. It is cute and fun to watch what the Christmas bears are up to in her house. I am attaching the link to her blog so check it out.

http://www.newsfromsuzanne.blogspot.com/

Christmas Party Pictures

We had a great party and danced the night away. The food was terrific. Pumpkin Blue Crab Bisque was not my first choice of soups but after tasting it I know why the chef recommended it.So much fun and now we are truly in the holiday mood. Get your lists to Santa.

The WSJ Crossword Puzzle

I spent time with AJ yesterday and we watched the Polar Express together. It was his first viewing of this movie and while parts of it are a little scary (the train ride over the ice) he really seemed to enjoy it. So much so in fact that he took the DVD home and I am sure Jesi and Beth will be watching it again and again with him. I will have to remember to get him a sleigh bell for Christmas.

Steve got some help working the crossword puzzle yesterday too. I think these pictures pretty well tell the story.











Tonight is the Belmont Christmas party...actually the "holiday party" but I like to think of it as the Christmas party. I am getting old enough that I do not have to be politically correct all of the time. The club is beautifully decorated and we are looking forward to a record turnout. The band is great and there will be lots of dancing tonight. As the co chair this year it has been trying at times to keep everyone happy and still put our own ideas into the party but we are ready tonight to have fun. Let the holidays roll in.

Happy Birthday Jessica

Happy Birthday to number one daughter Jessica today. She is 27. Yes TWENTY SEVEN!!! She even cringed a little when I spoke of the actual number with her. I think I have a few friends that will assure her she is not old. But she is definitely entering a new phase of her life. We like to think of her as an adult now. Have a wonderful birthday Jessica. It is great to hear you sounding so happy.

Love makes it easier when life gets hard

I saw this quote today and I liked it. Life is hard. There are no easy rides in this theme park and many of them are downright scary. But having love in your life really, really helps. And yes, entering into this holiday season has been hard again. John is so present in all of the Christmas decorations. So many memories of his December birth. The events are so clearly remembered from that first pregnancy leading up to his birth on December 26th. But we will keep plugging along and eventually the memories will be comforting. The memories are how we keep John alive now.